NEW RESEARCH SHOWS NEED TO REPLACE COUNCIL TAX - Kemp, March 2009
In response to the Liberal Democrat research showing an increase in bankruptcy proceedings by some councils, Cllr Richard Kemp, Lib Dem Group Leader at the Local Government Association, said:
"As already mentioned by the Local Government Association today, only a tiny percentage of people who receive a summons end up in court. Councils already work hard to avoid bankruptcy proceedings. But councils do have to work within the existing law and collect council tax, otherwise it is not fair on those people who do pay their bills - many of whom are also on low incomes"
He added: "This does show that the Council Tax needs scrapping in favour of a fair local income tax which better reflects people's ability to pay. At the moment both local councils and poorer council taxpayers are put in a very difficult position".
ENDS
Note to editors - Cllr Kemp can be contacted on 07885 626913.