|
|
|
Greens plan debate on local taxation |
|
|
|
Thursday, 21 June 2007 |
The Scottish Green Party today lodged an amendment for debate on Council Tax, urging the government to carry out a review of Land Value Taxation (LVT) as a possible replacement.
The Greens argued that LVT would be a fairer and more efficient system that the present "much criticised and unfair system of council tax".
In particular, the Greens said that LVT would benefit those on low incomes and aspiring first time house buyers by stabilizing property prices. They argue that it would also reduce speculation in land and 'landbanking', free up more rural land for community benefit, reward more efficient businesses, promote sustainable land use such as organic farming, be easier to administer and more difficult to dodge.
Similar forms of local taxation already exist in Denmark, South Africa, Jamaica, some Australian states and some cities in the United State.
Green co-convener Robin Harper said: "All the other parties are thinking far too narrowly on this issue - the new politics should look at all the options. It is a shame that the Burt review did not examine Land Value Tax more thoroughly. However, what it did find was that LVT would provide a more progressive form of taxation."
Harper said that LVT is an "inherently fairer system" as it targets the asset rich rather than the poorest in society. He continued: “It will drive efficiency throughout the land-use system, make more land available and resist speculative planning proposals which distort the market. It will offer public benefits, which are currently captured by private interests.
"I urge all parties, and there are LVT supporters in the SNP, Labour and the Lib Dem ranks, to consider LVT as a possible opportunity to break up the polarised arguments over local income tax versus minor tinkering of Council Tax."
No one has commented on this article.
Related news items:
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 June 2007 )
|
Featured sites
The Open University
The Open University is the UK's largest university, attracting more than 200,000 students each year. It is a world leader in open and distance learning and has been recognised for the excellence of its teaching and the world-class reputation of its research.
Click here to visit this site
Site news...
Holyrood.com has received a facelift, to coincide with the last magazine of the season.
Along with the new template, we've also launched a forum for registered users.
Please feel free to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
|
Holyrood news 
