Council Tax

ZANU Labour’s stealth taxes continue apace. Although why we call them stealth taxes, I really don’t know. There’s not much that is stealthy about their smash, grab and spend policy. It has been mooted before, but once more council tax payers are to be targeted for the heinous crime of improving their homes:

Householders face rises in council tax bills every time they improve their homes under plans by ministers to revalue all properties every year.

And what sort of things are we looking at?

Whitehall’s central valuation computer will be linked to local authority planning and building departments, recording major improvements that need planning permission. More minor improvements will be recorded either by door-knocking inspectors or by questionnaires that occupiers will be obliged to answer. Householders who have improved their homes will face higher bills in the next financial year.

Ah, yes, good old surveillance and databases backed up with door to door bullies who have the right of entry where even a police officer dare not go without a warrant. As others point out, this is a punishment for spending time, money and effort in improving one’s own property:

Caroline Spelman, the Tories’ shadow communities and local government secretary, said: “There is now irrefutable evidence that the Labour Government is preparing to introduce a new home improvement tax, on top of stamp duty, and a new levy on house prices in every part of the UK.”

She continued: “Taxing home improvements, including sheds, double glazing and conservatories, is an overt Labour tax grab on family homes, punishing those who have worked hard and saved. I am very concerned that tax inspectors have been given the invasive power and tools to barge inside and inspect your home, and log and record every feature — including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.”

Indeed. Over the past ten years or so, we have spent a considerable sum on our house; re-wiring, redecorating, as well as fitting a new bathroom and kitchen; because this is the sensible thing to do; maintain one’s house to keep it fit to live in. That does not mean that we have large wads of cash floating about to hand over to the local authority to squander on idiotic traffic management schemes (the favoured money pit of South Gloucestershire Council, it seems).

Caroline Spelman goes on.

“Not only is this a sign of higher taxes to come but it is an unprecedented and unacceptable assault on the civil liberties and privacy of British citizens.”

Socialists don’t care about such sensibilities. We are part of the collective, we will be assimilated, resistance is futile. God, I hate the bastards! So when are the Tories going to get their act together and come up with some decent policies, a sense of cohesion and provide a powerful alternative at the next election? For fuck’s sake, will no one rid us of this turbulent government?