So it was alleged. The exact same transparency was there in the domestic rates, as the levy was on property value. Rates had one big advantage - houses don't mo

So it was alleged. The exact same transparency was there in the domestic rates, as the levy was on property value. Rates had one big advantage - houses don't move around much. The overheads of collection are minimal. The truth, of course was removing a tax on the wealthier, and drastically cutting the amount of revenue councils were able to raise locally. A good part of how we ended up with one of the most centrally controlled systems there is. Westminster decides how much funding councils get, council tax tops up a little of it. A "blessed" council can charge lower taxes through receiving higher central funding. A welfare benefit that only some are eligible for and requires retrospective claim does not make a tax progressive. Especially with how broken the welfare system has become for those needing to claim whilst working. The absolute numbers matter little.