Date: 07 July 2005

Letter to Herald: Property tax is an important part of the taxation basket

Dear Sir

The impression given by your article on the Local Government Finance Review consultation is of strong opposition to the Council Tax. In fact the report states " a significant number believed that there would be value in retaining Council Tax". Is it not fairer to state that people want to see that tax reformed rather than abolished?

UNISON believes that reform of the Council Tax Bands and Council Tax Benefit will achieve fairness at far less financial cost and upheaval than any change to a Service Tax or Local Income Tax. While property values are not a faultless indicator of wealth or ability to pay there is a broad link. A property tax is therefore an important part of the taxation basket.

Dave Watson
Scottish Organiser
UNISON
14 West Campbell Street
Glasgow
0870 7777006

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