SNP announces plans for Council Tax Abolition Bill

[rhythmaning]

The Scottish Government has announced its plans for a “local” income tax to replace the council tax.

Back in July I wrote about my views of their proposals, which they put out for consultation. The other responses to the consultation that I saw (mainly from press reports) were uniformly negative – from a range of local authorities, unions and business interests.

The actual plans announced today include a 3p/£ “local” income tax; the full details will be announced in a bill later in the session.

Given that all opposition parties oppose the move – which is actually for a centrally-administered national tax which would remove any accountability from local authorities – and the UK Parliament is unlikely to acquiesce (the SNP would require £400m of “council tax rebate” and the full support of HM Revenue and Customs), it is unlikely to make it to law.

At which point, Shrek Alex Salmond will claim it was everyone else’s fault and what a shame it is the Scotland cannot control its own destiny. Heads he wins…

Comments

[matgb]

There's a small chance that the Lib Dem group can negotiate a compromise with him and make it truly 'local'.

And now that both Campbell and Stephen are out of the running, there's also a chance that it could lead to proper coalition negotiations as well.

Odds tiny, but not non-existent. At a meeting I was at Campbell was asked why no coalition—he palpably loathed Salmond and wouldn't countenance it at all, which is daft given policy similarities.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Although I think a lot of people strongly dislike Alex Salmond!