There is at least one idea in the Burt report worth considering further. This is the idea that the asset-rich/ income-poor should be able to defer their local tax payment on a system not dissimilar to the more familiar equity release arrangements, so that their accumulated local tax liability would only be discharged when their assets were sold, albeit to the detriment of their estate. It is described more fully in chapter 16 of the report (here).
The proposal is not without its problems, notably the fact that many old folk may be reluctant to dilute the equity holding in their houses, even if it would relieve them of the more immediate financial issue of meeting their local tax liability. Nor does it do anything to help those without ownership of any significant assets. But there would be a number of advantages, including the fact that it is not particularly complex in administrative terms. It is certainly worth thinking about.
Even more interesting, it could be introduced in association with the present council tax arrangements (in advance of any change in local government finance), thus freeing those old folk with big houses and little income from the burden of a heavy council tax payment and - somewhat magically - without disturbing local authorities' income.
I suppose that it should be no surprise that Scottish politicians have as yet failed to see any merit in the proposition.
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