Wales and Scotland sharpen axe over council tax

12.00.00am GMT Mon 13th Mar 2006

High level talks between Liberal Democrats in Wales and Scotland are seeking to scrap the council tax in both devolved nations in 2007.

Following the Welsh Lib Dem conference in Wrexham this weekend, Assembly leader Mike German will be pressing ahead with further collaboration with the Scots to deliver this key policy.

Mr German was speaking after a successful conference in Wrexham, where party members endorsed the commitment to introduce a local income tax.

He said: "The party membership in Wales were crystal clear in our debate over the weekend. They want to axe the unfair council tax. And they want it to be part of our manifesto for the 2007 Welsh General Election.

"In both Wales and Scotland, it is Liberal Democrat ideas that have driven devolution. That's why I've already had an initial discussion with Nicol Stephen, to talk about how we can deliver this policy in the devolved nations of the UK.

"Collecting the money through the Inland Revenue is the obvious way to collect a local income tax. They already collect National income tax, and there would be obvious cost savings for using both.

"But if the UK government is unwilling, there are alternatives we need to consider. For example, setting up a Student Loans-type company which has the ability to take repayment direct from salary.

"Liberal Democrats have driven the successes of devolution in Wales and Scotland. People want to axe council tax. We are the party with the ideas and the desire to make it happen."

Notes:

Senior Welsh Liberal Democrats will visit Edinburgh in April to discuss issues of mutual concern with their colleagues in Scotland.

Figures released by the WLGA show the average rise in council tax bills will be 4.4%, with the average yearly Band D bills going up by more than £30.