11/06/2009

LABOUR GO BACK TO THE FUTURE WITH PLANS TO PENALISE HOMEOWNERS

RIDICULOUS PROPOSALS WOULD HIT PENSIONERS AND HOMEOWNERS

Commenting on reports in the Times that Labour is to revise the Burt Report proposal for a 1% tax on homeowners as a new form of property tax SNP MSP Christine Grahame warned that Labour’s tax would penalise homeowners and pensioners in Penicuik and across Midlothian.

When the proposal came out in 2006 sources close to Labour First Minister Jack McConnell responded to the proposal saying “"There is no way that Labour ministers will support a 1% homes tax."
The chief of COSLA, Labour Councillor Pat Watters said in 2006 that the plans were "the worst of all possibilities"

SNP MSP Christine Grahame today (Tuesday) said:

“Labour has gone back to the future with this proposal.
“Labour’s policy cupboard is so bare they have been forced into rehashing a three year old proposal rejected by Jack McConnell’s administration. 
“After all Iain Gray’s talk of new and radical proposals they have retreated to a policy rubbished by the last Labour Executive. 
“Andy Kerr was part of that administration – this idea was wrong then and is wrong now.
“Pensioners and homeowners in Penicuik and across Midlothian will be horrified by this plan.
“If these plans were ever to be implemented we would see pensioners facing enormous bills.  Scotland’s pensioners have worked hard to pay for their homes, why should they be penalised for changes in the property market?
“Why should homeowners be penalised for improving property they own?  This is a ridiculous suggestion by Labour.

“To penalise people who make their homes more energy efficient would be utterly wrong at a time when we are working to improve our housing stock and tackle climate change.  

“It seems Labour are so desperate to show they have a policy they’ve picked the first one they could find – even it will damage Scottish households.

“It is clear from today’s proposals that it is only the SNP who can be trusted to scrap the unfair council tax and introduce fair taxation based on ability to pay.”

ENDS
1.      For Labour reaction in 2006; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6130620.stm
2.      The Herald, 9th November 2006
“Pat Watters, president of council umbrella group Cosla, said a 1per cent homes tax was "the worst of all possibilities" and "Sir Peter need not have bothered with his work.”
“A source close to the First Minister said: "There is no way that Labour ministers will support a 1per cent homes tax. We will need to consider the independent review in detail once published, but if this is the main proposal, it will not be given the time of day."
3. Details of Labour's tax plans can be found at; http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6790853.ece

SNP It’s time.....