Mike Treleaven attacks 'double whammy'of future council tax rises and revaluation

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 6th Mar 2005

Speaking at the Liberal Democrat spring conference in Harrogate today Totnes Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Mike Treleaven, highlighted the dramatic rise in Council Tax likely after the next General Election if either the Labour Party or the Conservatives are returned to power.

Mike said:

'People must realise that Gordon Brown has given the country a £billion sweetener to reduce council tax bills this year - funnily enough just before an election. This will not be repeated next year which will, in itself cause a 7.5% rise in Council Tax. In 2007 we face the prospect of revaluation which will have a serious effect here in South Devon as house prices have risen much higher than the average for the rest of the country. We have already seen the result of revaluation in Wales, increases of 1 band are the norm - indeed one house went up 6 bands!!!'

he continued:

'This revaluation will penalise people who have invested in home improvements along with every other home owner who has seen the value of their house rise. It is yet another example of how unfair Council Tax is. It particularly penalises pensioners and those on low incomes and must e axed. There is only one fair solution - local income tax based on the ability to pay!'