Council tax kept 'artificially low' by £1billion election bribe claims Lib Dem leader (From Warrington Guardian)

Council tax kept 'artificially low' by £1billion election bribe claims Lib Dem leader

COUNCIL tax in Warrington is being kept artificially low by a Government bribe according to Liberal Democrat leader Clr Ian Marks.

Clr Marks, who is the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, said council tax should now be scrapped in favour of a local income tax.

Last week, members of Warrington Borough Council's executive board recommended that council tax be increased by 4.9 per cent from April.

Clr Marks says that a main failing of council tax is that it doesn't take into account an individual's ability to pay.

He added: "A double council tax bombshell is coming down the track after the election.

"In 2006, council tax bills across the country will rise by at least 7.5 per cent according to analysis by the Local Government Association.

"In 2005 they will be kept artificially low by a £1 billion bribe to councils ahead of the election.

"This 'one-off' grant will not be repeated. Without this bribe, council tax in Warrington would go up far more than the five per cent guideline the Government has laid down."

And he said revaluation of house prices will see many people facing increased bills from April.

He added: "Some people will see their tax bills rocket, just because their house prices have increased. Where you happen to live has nothing to do with your ability to pay."