How the Govt will make you pay for new rail links:
Discussion
According to the Indypedant, you'll face a windfall tax if your property increases in value by being near a new transport link..
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=370991
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=370991
Errrr.. well that's okay then..
Home owners face windfall tax to fund transport links
20 January 2003
Hundreds of thousands of householders and businesses will pay a windfall tax if their properties increase in value because of new transport links, under plans being considered by ministers.
The initiative is part of an attempt by the Government to rescue its £33.5bn plan for the rail network, which has virtually run out of money.
Treasury officials have been considering the option and John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, has considered an independent study into the tax, which has already been used in the US.
The system would be aimed initially at ensuring the future of projects in the South-east that have been thrown into doubt by a huge shortfall in funds.
The new tax could be used to finance the £5bn CrossRail scheme involving a tunnel linking Paddington in west London to Stratford in the East End, the £1bn upgrade to existing Thameslink services between Brighton and Bedford via London Bridge, and the East London line Tube extension.
The levy, calculated by a formula that takes into account normal inflation in property prices, could affect all the areas connected by the new links.
Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, and Bob Kiley, his transport commissioner, support this new "rates" system. It was used to help to finance improvements in commuter services in New York, where Mr Kiley was responsible for the Subway.
The proposal is for the additional payment to be levied and collected by local authorities as part of the council tax system. Initial valuations of property would be compared with prices after a transport project became public.
Those with homes and businesses close to stations on the £3.5bn Jubilee line extension saw the value of their properties rise by £100 per sq ft. One estimate found the value of land along the new Tube route, completed in 1999, increased by nearly four times the total cost of building the project.
The tax would probably not be imposed retrospectively, so that, for instance, property prices in Kent that have benefited from the Channel Tunnel rail link would not be affected.
Mr Prescott, who has commissioned the consultant Atis Real Weatheralls to assess the system, believes the levy could be made to work and that it would form a way round the spending curbs imposed by Gordon Brown, the Chancellor.
Critics have pointed out that while property owners might benefit from new transport routes, they also have to endure the disruption their construction might entail.
A spokesman for Transport for London said: "Controversy will always be generated when any new tax is suggested and there are complications to be worked out. It seems reasonable that where people benefit from new developments, they should contribute towards those projects."
Local authorities across Britain are considering new ways of funding transport developments. Recently, Leeds City Council proposed that any company building housing or industrial estates should be made to contribute to new links.
Both the Government and the Strategic Rail Authority will come under pressure tomorrow to approve the new rail projects. Mr Livingstone will point out that London's population is predicted to rise by some 700,000 people over the next 12 years.
They can f**k off.
I view this sort of tax as good. Its yet more likely to make people think twice about re-electing the evil blighters.
Still. At least it means that I won't have to pay for it. Oh..until they add a rail station I didn't want and don't need in my area. (First Chineham, then Kempshott) Then the precedent will have been set and I'll have to pay.
I view this sort of tax as good. Its yet more likely to make people think twice about re-electing the evil blighters.
Still. At least it means that I won't have to pay for it. Oh..until they add a rail station I didn't want and don't need in my area. (First Chineham, then Kempshott) Then the precedent will have been set and I'll have to pay.
Funny they dont say that if you move into a house with absolutely no public transport you dont have to pay stamp duty.
I will cut off my own feet before I have anything to do with this bunch or arse.
There really needs to be some serious opposition to this bunch of clowns, they really are taking the piss.
Matt.
I will cut off my own feet before I have anything to do with this bunch or arse.
There really needs to be some serious opposition to this bunch of clowns, they really are taking the piss.
Matt.
I wouldn't mind paying some additional Council tax to finance GOOD public transport providing I, as a resident had free or discounted access to it. What I would not be happy with would be to have to pay the tax and fares to subsidise those flocking from other areas to fill the newly created spaces on the transport system leaving me poorer and still unable to make use of the system.
On the radio today Anthea Turner (of all people) asked whether those of us living in areas where transport had got worse or having to suffer Heathrow T5 would be given a rebate....good point Anthea.
On the radio today Anthea Turner (of all people) asked whether those of us living in areas where transport had got worse or having to suffer Heathrow T5 would be given a rebate....good point Anthea.
If they are going to base increased windfall or council tax payments on their estimated value of your home, then the big question will be "how far from these developments will they apply it?" If people are willing to drive from a village 20 miles from the new station to catch the train to work, then will this windfall tax apply to all housing within a 20 mile radius? I have a feeling that this windfall tax will not stop once the house has been sold either, it looks more like a long term increase in council tax for the south-east is on the cards.
People want decent public transport, but now can't afford to use it or live anywhere near it! Almost makes you glad when you haven't got any.
I genuinely feel for you guys and gals in the south-east right now.
Andy
People want decent public transport, but now can't afford to use it or live anywhere near it! Almost makes you glad when you haven't got any.
I genuinely feel for you guys and gals in the south-east right now.
Andy
andyf007 said: I genuinely feel for you guys and gals in the south-east right now.
Thanks, Andy. Sympathy noted!
As an ex-Northener (sort of - North Wales actually) I do feel hugely frustrated that because in order to make something of myself in my chosen field I had to move to the sunny South-East.
Just in time to be told..."You, you bugger, you've made a few bob. You've got no kids. So we won't even empty your bins (soon) but you can pay higher property tax and income tax than everyone else. Oh and because you live in the South we'll hit you with huge Stamp Duty because even a small house costs a fortune, and because your a Southerner we won't invest in your public transport system without extra taxes - even though we can do that for other areas. Oh and because Hampshire's affluent we take away as much as can off your Council's grant from central government and spend it elsewhere because after all - you don't need it, do you."
Pay for everything. Get nothing.
Thanks Tony....you can F**k off. Oh. Did I say that again?
jmorgan said: Another legal shafting off his tonyness? How long has this contry had public transport? And now an extra tax will sort it?
>> Edited by jmorgan on Monday 20th January 14:46
Ditto
No public transrport but we get to pay more for it.
Look out for rebanding of council tax to compensate for increase in house value.
voyds9 said:
Look out for rebanding of council tax to compensate for increase in house value.
That'll be the next thing, despite the fact my local council now see fit to empty my bin once a fortnight. When I telephoned and asked for a proportion of my council tax back as a rebate, I was met with stunned silence. So I fill a bin in just over a week. So I telephoned and asked for another bin. Can't have one, they said. Because there's only two of you in the house and you don't have children. Do fcuking what ? So yet again, us childless couples are penalised. Bloody marvellous.
One result though: our council recycling gibbons saw fit to darken our road at 6am and start throwing glass bottles into their lorry as hard as they could. So I phoned and complained. "Well, they have to start somewhere, sir", I was politely informed. So I asked the lady at the council if they could start in HER road at 6am, and see how she'd like it. Funnily enough they now start at 6:45. Result.
There's an arguement that says such a tax would encourage some people to buy houses a little bit away from public transport hot-spots and then use their cars to drive to the station, thereby avoiding the property premiums but also contributing to the clogged roads.
More poorly though through garbage, IMHO.
More poorly though through garbage, IMHO.
Good luck CZ you'll be accepted into normal (Southern) society one day
CarZee said:well it's very good of you to be so blunt, Ben
incorrigible said: I'm from Cornwall and don't have the regiler number of fingers or eyes but even I know it's rubbish...
Of course your quite right ben but I'd swap the dubloons and seaweed for some clogs & black pudding if that's okay with you
incorrigible said:Good luck CZ you'll be accepted into normal (Southern) society one day, just like I was after I had the prosthetic eye added and those webbed toes sorted out.. there's no shame in having a faux cave with seaweed and a casket full of smugglers dubloons in your lounge, mate..
CarZee said: well it's very good of you to be so blunt, Ben
Can we have a rebate for all the years of crap services we've had?
This government are taking the piss. The railways are supposed to be privatised (so why are they getting our tax money just to run the business?) so they should be funding projects out of their own money (which they don't have) or getting loans and venture capital which is paid back out of the ticket fares of the system.
It should not be the government building the new links, charging us extra tax for it, and then giving them to a private company.
Truly sucks.
I can't believe that they managed to get away with giving our council tax away to another council (I live in Hampshire as well). At the end of the day I bet Hampshire (per person) pays a damn sight more in income tax than the council that got the money - so why aren't we entitled to it back to pay for our services? Why do we have to pay for our services twice? I bet our council tax bills were already higher than theres as well. Oh, and they are due to re-rate properties so in those areas where prices have been driven up huge amounts our council tax bills are going to go up 'cos of this as well.
This government are taking the piss. The railways are supposed to be privatised (so why are they getting our tax money just to run the business?) so they should be funding projects out of their own money (which they don't have) or getting loans and venture capital which is paid back out of the ticket fares of the system.
It should not be the government building the new links, charging us extra tax for it, and then giving them to a private company.
Truly sucks.
I can't believe that they managed to get away with giving our council tax away to another council (I live in Hampshire as well). At the end of the day I bet Hampshire (per person) pays a damn sight more in income tax than the council that got the money - so why aren't we entitled to it back to pay for our services? Why do we have to pay for our services twice? I bet our council tax bills were already higher than theres as well. Oh, and they are due to re-rate properties so in those areas where prices have been driven up huge amounts our council tax bills are going to go up 'cos of this as well.
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