David Kingman explores the recent proposal from the think tank CentreForum to make the property tax system fairer by radically reforming Council Tax, instead of bringing in a new “Mansion Tax”
Search Results for: land value tax
New documentary shows scale of Housing Benefit payments to private landlords
David Kingman draws attention to a new documentary from the BBC which shows how much public money is now being paid to private landlords in the form of Housing Benefit – often in return for substandard housing
The intergenerational case for an asset tax
In the third of our week-long series of articles on intergenerational themes co-published with the independent public policy think tank ResPublica, Abigail Rees (Research Assistant at ResPublica) explains why international inequalities in wealth – as opposed to income – can and should be addressed by the tax system
Nearly a fifth of British homes are now owned by private landlords, according to new report
David Kingman looks at the findings from a recently-released report by one of the UK’s top buy-to-let mortgage providers, which shows how the sector has enjoyed staggering growth over the last 18 years
Why BTL (buy-to-let) equals “Big Tax Let-off”
The private rented sector in the UK has witnessed explosive growth since rent restrictions were abolished by the Thatcher government in the late 1980s, a period which has seen thousands of new property investors take up the opportunity to become landlords. Owing to Britain’s acute shortage of new housing, much of this growth has come… Read more »
Scotland debates oil legacy ahead of independence vote
David Kingman looks at a recent debate in the Scottish Parliament which touched on the future legacy of its oil industry, and the ways this could be affected by independence
Scotland pioneers votes at 16
The Referendum on Independence for Scotland will extend the voting age to 16 and 17 year olds for the first time in the UK. Antony Mason explains why this sets a welcome precedent
Scotland’s proposed oil fund: more than just hot air?
David Kingman explores Alex Salmond’s recent proposal to create a sovereign wealth fund for future generations if Scotland becomes independent
Large scale tax avoidance in the housing market
Angus Hanton shows how current tax loopholes have intergenerational consequences People disagree on how housing should be taxed. Some people would like to see higher annual holding taxes, whether this is called Council Tax, Land Value Tax or just Property Tax, while others want to see the introduction of Capital Gains Tax on residential house… Read more »
Dementia? Let’s go to Easter Island! – Planning for long-term care
Antony Mason responds to the recent announcement about long-term care for the elderly It has taken the Law Commission to reignite the debate about long-term care of the elderly. The current provision of social care is so inconsistent and chaotic that the elderly and the infirm (and their carers), in desperate need of support, have had… Read more »