Laura Sharman 23 September 2014

Mansion Tax branded ‘political stunt’ by property group

Labour’s proposal for a new ‘Mansion Tax’ has been called a ‘political stunt’ to avoid council tax reform by the British Property Federation (BPF).

BPF said the proposal, due to be announced this afternoon by Ed Miliband, would have ‘minimal’ impact on NHS budgets and any revenue raised would be ‘cancelled out’ by the loss in taxation in other areas.

Ian Fletcher, director of policy at the BPF, said: ‘There is recognition in our industry that council tax on high-end property is low, and with no revaluation since 1991, in desperate need of reform. Instead of responsible reform, however, we get a Mansion Tax, and a political stunt, which has been used before.

‘Raising taxes to save the NHS is a tactic Labour used in the early noughties, when national insurance rates were increased to save the NHS. Labour obviously calculates that associating a policy with the NHS will make it popular, but there is no obvious link and a much better use of any available funds would be to spend them on access to housing, thereby improving peoples’ health outcomes.’

In his keynote speech, Miliband is expected to say a ‘Mansion Tax’ on homes worth more than £2m would raise £1.7bn a year, which would be used to increase spending on the NHS.

The Liberal Democrats have long been calling for the new tax of 1% to be levied on luxury homes.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

North Northamptonshire Council
£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Capital Delivery Manager

South Wales Trunk Road Agent
£50,788 - £52,805
To be responsible for the implementation of Welsh Government’s Renewal and Upgrade programme. Baglan, Port Talbot
Recuriter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Senior Engineer x 2

Hounslow London Borough Council
£47,532 –£55,620 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI ChelmsfordFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 Per Annum, Full Time EquivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of SEN Assessment & Resolution

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£77136 - £88230 per annum
Shape a fairer future for children with special educational needs.As Head of SEN Assessment and Resolution at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chel England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner