Fairer Share founder Andrew Dixon joined Matthew Wright on LBC this weekend to unpack why Council Tax is failing households and councils alike, and what real reform could look like.
The conversation explored how decades of cuts to local government funding have left councils struggling to provide essential services, from social care to road maintenance, while households face ever-rising bills. Andrew highlighted how Council Tax, still based on outdated 1991 property values, has become deeply regressive, with lower-value homes often paying a far higher proportion of their value than multi-million-pound properties.
Andrew shared real-world examples of this imbalance, including modest flats paying more in Council Tax than luxury mansions just miles away, underlining why the current system punishes low and middle-income households while failing to provide stable funding for local services.
He also outlined Fairer Share’s proposal to scrap Council Tax and Stamp Duty and replace them with a Proportional Property Tax, paid by owners based on the current value of their homes. Under this model, around 75% of households would see their tax bills fall, with an average saving of £556 per year, while removing Stamp Duty would make it easier for people to move home for work, family, or downsizing.
While acknowledging the scale of the challenge, Andrew pointed to recent moves toward more progressive property taxation as a step in the right direction, and stressed the need for a full, independent review of Council Tax and Stamp Duty to deliver evidence-based reform.
The interview closed with a shared sense of urgency, but also optimism, that with public pressure and political will, the UK can build a fairer system that funds vital services properly and reflects people’s real ability to pay.
✍️ Take action
Fairer Share is calling on the Government to commission a full, independent review of Council Tax and Stamp Duty, so we can move toward a system that’s fair, evidence-based, and fit for today’s housing market.
If you agree that Council Tax is broken and needs fundamental reform, please add your name to our petition and help us build momentum for change.
Every signature strengthens the case for a fairer system that reflects real property values, supports local services, and reduces pressure on households.