What about the poll tax?

Question

Would someone kind enough to tell me where one can get a report for the amount of Poll tax(rates) increases since 1990, by diffrent councils in England and Wales. I would also like to know how the banding system works and how it is decided that your house is in a specific band for rate purposes.

Answer 1

As you may know poll tax was abolished in 1993. This was because many people thought it to be unfair that families earning four or five salaries had to pay more than a couple with only one wage earner.

The government, however, still wanted richer people to pay more than poorer people so they created the banding system based on the value of your property on 1st April 1991. The assumption was that someone in a more expensive property could afford to contribute more to the local government.

The link below explains more details of the banding.

As for historical council tax rates I can't find any details online for my own council. I hope someone else can find an archive for you.

Answer 2

First we had the Poll Tax which penalised everyone for just being alive in the country. Then that was replaced by the Council Tax which penalises every householder on behalf of everyone alive in the country. Both are unfair in different ways but the Council Tax is the most unfair. In effect a single person living in a council flat is paying for the education and local amenities for wealthy middle class folk and their kids. Is that fair?

Answer 3

I thought that Poll Tax had been discontinued Nationwide in favour of Council Tax?
You Town Council Offices or Library might be a good starting point. Have you checked to see if there is anything on the web about Council Tax banding?

Answer 4

Ring the local councils, and get info from them. I believe they get them from the Valuation Offices or will put you onto them to send out any details you may need. I don't know if there a centralised office you can ring.

Answer 5

Why do people ask about the poll tax and not about the other countries lol