Government Tax inspectors spying on homes (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

Government Tax inspectors spying on homes

November 17, 2005 1:28 PM

I Spy your patio!

Councillor Kath Pinnock, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has written to the Chief Executive of Kirklees Council raising concerns that Council tax inspectors will be able to take photographs of people's homes as part of the Council tax re-evaluation process.

"People have raised with me concerns that when the revaluation is carried out Council tax inspectors will be able to take photographs of their properties through the windows, take photographs of extension, patios and views."

"It seems that when revaluation takes place John Prescott is planning to charge people more for improving their homes with patios, extensions, additional bedrooms and gardens. It looks like people's privacy is being invaded yet again as Labour pushes up the tax burden on hard working families that try to make their lives more comfortable."

"The Valuation Office Agency will have powers to go onto people's property and enter their homes to find out if people have improved their property and if they have scenic views. I am concerned about how people, particularly the elderly will be able to protect themselves from con men posing as government officials gather information for John Prescott's office."

"Even though the government has postponed the re-valuation of Council Tax Bands the fact remains that people are worried about the tactics that inspectors will use to get the information. I have written to the Chief executive seeking his assurance that as a Council we will be doing everything in our power to protect the privacy of Kirklees residents."

"Labour has opted out of reforming Council Tax, and the Conservatives still think its a fair system. But with people worried about the invasion of their privacy and pensioners already prepared to go to prison rather than pay, large increases in Council Tax next year could spark a serious rebellion, like the one that overturned the Poll Tax. Council Tax penalises pensioners and the low paid. Its time to scrap this unfair tax and replace it with a fair local income tax based on ability to pay. That way the level of tax would not be based on what you can see from your window or how nice your patio is but on your ability to pay it."