Local Lib Dems say that Haringey’s beleaguered Council Tax payers would see their bills cut by £100 under national proposals outlined in their Alternative Budget by the Liberal Democrats.

The local Lib Dems believe the policy will be popular with Haringey residents, who have just suffered a massive 17.4% increase in their Council Tax bills from the Labour-run Council.

Average Council Tax rises across the country this year will be the highest ever. These large rises will mean average council tax bills across the country will have risen by over £400 under Labour. In their Alternative Budget, the Lib Dems would give Council Tax payers a refund of £100, largely funded by an increase in income tax for the very rich. The increase would also pay for the scrapping of tuition fees for students.

The cuts in Council Tax would be an interim measure pending the complete abolition of the Council Tax and its replacement with a much fairer Local Income Tax.

Haringey’s Lib Dem Leader Ross Laird comments:

“The Council Tax is a very unfair tax. It hits those on lower incomes, such as local pensioners, particularly hard.The Council Tax takes no account of people’s ability to pay, so a nurse or pensioner can pay more than a multi-millionaire.”

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson, adds:

“Labour have made much worse the Tory invention of Council tax. Lib Dems would abolish the tax and replace it with a much fairer local income tax. Taxes should relate to the ability to pay. Gordon Brown could provide this relief now, if he introduced the Lib Dem plans.”