Press Release

SMITH DELIVERS 'AXE THE  TAX' PETITION

01/12/04

Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, today delivered the names of over 1,300 of her constituents who supported her ‘Axe the Tax' petition.

The petition was handed over to Tavish Scott the Deputy Minister for Finances and Public Services and called for Council Tax to be abolished and replaced with a fairer system of Local Income Tax based on ability to pay. The petition marks a longstanding commitment by the Scottish Liberal Democrats to replace the current local taxation system.

Margaret Smith said:

“It is not surprising that this campaign has proved so popular. Council Tax remains one of the most unfair and regressive taxes with recent hikes hitting the elderly and those on low incomes hardest.

“I would like to see a new system, linked to people's ability to pay and the upcoming review of local government finance gives us the perfect chance to change the current discredited system which remains no more than a quick fix for the poll tax.” 

ENDS

Notes to Editors to follow:

Details of Petition

“We the undersigned believe that the Council Tax is an unfair tax, based simply on outdated valuations of property and with no link to ability to pay. It should be scrapped and replaced with a system based on people's ability to pay.”