COUNCIL TAX RE-EVALUATION SET TO STING BRENT RESIDENTS - TEATHER

11.59.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 21st Feb 2005

Sarah Teather MP and Lib Dem Local Government spokesperson Edward Davey MP. A band D property in Brent will have to pay £761 a year more under re-evaluation

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has today revealed figures that show that Brent residents are set to be hit by a massive Council Tax bill after re-evaluation takes place. Some properties in Brent may be re-banded by as much as two or three bands because of the sharp property rises in Brent over the last 15 years. Brent residents face on average a minimum 22% increase on their Council Tax bills following re-evaluation, on top of the inflation busting increases set by Brent Council and the Mayor.

A 3-bedroom home in Queen's Park classified as Band D would now be classified as Band G based on the average rate of property price increase in the UK -- a jump of three bands . This would mean an increase in Council Tax of £761 on today's figures, plus any additional hikes from the Council and the Mayor.

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather said:

"Brent residents are facing a triple whammy this year when it comes to council tax, they will be hit first by the Labour Council, then by the Labour Mayor and finally by the Labour Government. With property prices increasing so heavily in Brent, re-evaluation is set to sting Brent residents hard. A number of families will have to pay much much more because of this unfair tax. The Government is hiding its head in the sand when it comes to Council Tax re-evaluation hoping that they can keep this tax sting quiet until after the General Election. They cannot be allowed to get away with it.

"The Council Tax in Brent has more than doubled since Tony Blair came to power. This additional 22% hike will badly affect many hard working local families who will not be prepared for this unexpected increase. This is yet further proof that the hated Council tax introduced by the Conservatives and made worse under Labour must go. It is time to scrap it and replace it with a fairer alternative based on the ability to pay, such as a local income tax."