Council Tax Revaluation

Britain's council tax system is in permanent crisis. The most unfair tax in Britain is not working, and it should be scrapped.

For the last two years, we've seen panic measures by the Chancellor to buy off councils. Could there be an election coming?

Yet the truth is Gordon Brown is putting off tough decisions - and related tax hikes. This year Ministers are encouraging councils to raid reserves and postpone tackling unfunded pension costs. Trouble is being stored up.

Worse still, council tax revaluation is coming - after the election.

Your home was last valued for council tax in 1991. Before April 1st 2007, it will be revalued on today's house prices - and your home's council tax band adjusted.

Not everyone's council tax will rise. Revaluation doesn't mean everyone pays more.

Yet people in areas where house prices have risen faster than the national average - like ours - will certainly be big losers.

For if Kingston's council tax base grows faster than the average, the Borough will end up with even less government grant - forcing up local council tax.

So, no matter what Kingston Council does, council tax revaluation threatens the Borough's residents with a large, one-off council tax rise, courtesy of Brown and co.

No wonder the Chancellor didn't mention council tax revaluation in his Pre-Budget Report. That's the post-election council tax crisis - unless we scrap it!