Scottish council tax

Council tax is almost universally despised

Thursday, 04, Sep 2008 12:00

Scottish first minister Alex Salmond has announced plans to replace council tax with a local income tax.

There's some uncertainty about whether he will be able to force the proposals through Holyrood, with the minority status of his government likely to complicate the passage of such radical measures.

But the tax remains universally disliked across Scotland, and a successful change to the system could provide him with some serious electoral goodwill.

Announcing the plan at the legislative opening of the Scottish parliament, Mr Salmond also touted plans to increase the minimum age at which people can buy alcohol to 21 and further restrictions on the sale of tobacco.