Andy Burnham has confirmed his plans for council tax bands if he becomes Prime Minister, outlining a property tax overhaul that would replace the current system with a land value tax. The newly elected Labour MP for Makerfield, who won the byelection, has set his sights on a shake-up of property taxation.
Land value tax to replace stamp duty and council tax
When Burnham first ran for Labour leader in 2010, he called for a new tax on property owners to replace stamp duty, branding the current levy on purchasing land as a “tax on the aspirations of young people to put down roots and get on in life”. He now proposes a land value tax that would allow for the abolition of stamp duty and could replace council tax entirely.
Criticism of current council tax system
Burnham has criticised the current council tax system, which is based on an assessment of property values from 1991. He described the system as “not justifiable”, noting that “there are people in homes in London that are [worth] double-figure millions paying less council tax than people here.” He added that it would not be “an acceptable response” to leave the current system in place when “councils are now really struggling”.
Reactions to Keir Starmer's resignation
In the wake of Sir Keir Starmer quitting on Monday morning, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy praised Starmer's leadership, stating: “With Keir’s leadership, this Labour government brought stability back to our economy, cut NHS waiting lists, improved renters’ rights, began to fix the crisis we inherited in our courts and prisons, reduced small boat crossings, protected young people online, lifted half a million children out of poverty and restored Britain’s standing in the world. He put Britain back at the heart of Europe, stood firmly with Ukraine and rebuilt relationships with our allies. Change promised, change fought for and change delivered. That is Keir Starmer’s legacy, and I am incredibly proud to have played my part in it.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves also paid tribute, saying: “From taking our party from the worst defeat in modern history, Keir Starmer turned it around and delivered a landslide majority just four years later. That was thanks to the public trusting us on the economy and on security, and thanks to our commitment to investing in every part of our country, in our public services and rebalancing the economy so it works for working people.”
