Council Tax Options Could Clobber Middle Income And Retired Households

1.18.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Jul 2004

Richmond and Kingston borough residents could be penalised under the new council tax band options published by the Government today. Susan Kramer, prospective Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park said it would be "the worst possible news" for many households and called for a fairer system.

"More bands with higher council tax for the upper end would drive nearly every elderly person and middle income family out of their homes in Richmond and Kingston leaving us much poorer as a community for their departure.

"We want our neighbourhoods to be rich in different kinds of families - not limited to those who are wealthy enough to live here.

"The Liberal Democrat call for a local income tax based on the ability to pay is not only much fairer but protects our mixed community.

"The highest earners might be paying somewhat more than they do today especially in families with two high incomes, but they would have the assurance that if Mum stops work to care for children or when they retire their local tax burden would fall, making it far easier to stay in their homes and their local community."