New "Ken Tax" in London
Discussion
www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/londonnews/articles/17924575
This is London said:
A new "Robin Hood" tax could be imposed on Londoners under plans by Ken Livingstone to gain extra powers from the Government.
The Evening Standard has learned that the Mayor wants to levy a capital-wide local income tax to redistribute cash from the rich to the poor.
His plans emerged after Labour's manifesto pledged yesterday to look at new powers for Mr Livingstone and the Greater London Authority (GLA).
Under the scheme - which the Tories today described as "frightening" - the council tax precept raised by the Mayor would be replaced by a charge based on ability to pay.
The wealthy would face higher tax bills while those on lower incomes would benefit from savings.
Mr Livingstone hopes to use Tony Blair's offer of new powers in the next Parliament to get control over housing, planning and waste management.
But he also now wants to reform the current council tax system so that a new Londonwide tax can be levied.
The precept, a top-up to council tax bills to pay for fire, police and other spending by the GLA, has soared since Mr Livingstone came to power.
His plan would see the GLA administer the tax on behalf of London's 32 councils.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford are overseeing the review of council tax
Although they have ruled out a local income tax, a means of reflecting ability to pay is being seriously considered and Mr Prescott is keen to give regions real powers.
However, ministers are only likely to approve the idea if it would result in a tax cut for the majority of people.
A local income tax would mean 50 per cent of people would be better off than under council tax, 25 per cent unchanged and 25 per cent - the richest - worse off.
The proposals, which will inevitably be dubbed a "Ken tax", will feed into the Government's review of council tax which is due to report later this year. Mr Livingstone said that ministers had not ruled out having a "local income tax element" as part of its review of council tax being conducted by Sir Michael Lyons.
"I'll be making a submission to the inquiry calling for greater revenue-raising powers for local and regional government," Mr Livingstone said.
But Bob Neill, Leader London Assembly Conservatives said: "The idea of Ken Livingstone having income taxraising powers is frightening.
"His record on spending is appalling."
It seems that there's no limit to the extent to which nasty bitter social engineers such as our Ken will go to.
A good start would be to get the current government out, who are largely made up of the same material.
Maybe Londoners are beginning to learn that they made a mighty big mistake in allowing Red Ken back in again...
A good start would be to get the current government out, who are largely made up of the same material.
Maybe Londoners are beginning to learn that they made a mighty big mistake in allowing Red Ken back in again...
Righto, solution is easy.
Lentilists > London, everyone vote for Tony next month, a speed camera on every london corner, expand the CC zone to the M25, ban all cars and motorbikes from the CC zone
And then close the outside junctions of the M25 and the barstewards play all by themselves for a few years. Hopefully they'll all be so happy that they leave the rest of us alone from then on..
Lentilists > London, everyone vote for Tony next month, a speed camera on every london corner, expand the CC zone to the M25, ban all cars and motorbikes from the CC zone
And then close the outside junctions of the M25 and the barstewards play all by themselves for a few years. Hopefully they'll all be so happy that they leave the rest of us alone from then on..
billb said:
he's gotta pay for that nice new office somehow! if labour win am gonna set up a company supplying the public sector as they dont seem to have any spending controls nor care what and for how much they buy anything...
Already work in that business. Trouble is, they don't buy on common sense. Bid low for work and make money on change requests is the only way to make money. Thats why EDS/Capita et al have been so successful. Government cannot accurately specify requirements - the procurement process is a nightmare - and trying to express any return on invesment benefit is all but useless
FunkyNige said:
And people still live in London?
Suckers
Only for another 5 years then we're off!
On top of this, where we live is about to be included in Ken's extended congestion charge area, and even with the residents discount, that's another £1008 per annum to find for the pleasure of being a car owner. So not only do I have to pay for somewhere to park my car, but I will have to pay everytime I move it soon. 
The pips squeaketh!So all the rich move out of london, and london becomes a home for the poor and criminals...
This springs to mind.
This springs to mind.
james_j said:Assuming they ever did, I don't know of a single person that wanted him anywhere near London. It's not as if they didn't know what he was going to do, it does make you wonder.
Maybe Londoners are beginning to learn that they made a mighty big mistake in allowing Red Ken back in again...
Ribol said:
Maybe Londoners are beginning to learn that they made a mighty big mistake in allowing Red Ken back in again...
Assuming they ever did, I don't know of a single person that wanted him anywhere near London. It's not as if they didn't know what he was going to do, it does make you wonder.
the same way that no-one ever seems to admit to having voted for B Liar last time round eithershadowninja said:
So all the rich move out of london, and london becomes a home for the poor and criminals...
This springs to mind.
Still, at least all the illegals and failed asylum seekers will have nice views over the Thames.
I don't think anything I read in the news about the way this bloody country is going surprises me any more.
Will this apply to everybody inside the M25?
Need to have a serious chat with Mrs.NCOT about moving out of London. Took me 2 hours to drive to north London this morning
Trouble is, both of us work in & around London. I reckon if we can move down into Kent, somewhere nearish a station, we should be ok. Soooo expensive though
It's all shit, I want out
Will this apply to everybody inside the M25?
Need to have a serious chat with Mrs.NCOT about moving out of London. Took me 2 hours to drive to north London this morning
Trouble is, both of us work in & around London. I reckon if we can move down into Kent, somewhere nearish a station, we should be ok. Soooo expensive though
It's all shit, I want out
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