We need a complete overhaul of council tax, moving to a fairer, more proportional system that reflects today’s housing market and puts communities first."

BCP Cllr Sara Armstrong for East Cliff and Springbourne says "In my ward, we see a wide wealth disparity - this tax won't help redistribute money back to the residents who really need it.

A two-bed flat in Boscombe pays nearly 1% of its value each year, while a multimillion-pound home in Sandbanks pays just 0.16%.
And while councils will collect this new charge, the revenue goes straight to central government, not to the local services our communities rely on.

It’s a step in the right direction, but it barely scratches the surface. Council tax is still based on 1991 property values, meaning many ordinary households pay more (as a share of their home’s value) than those in far wealthier areas.

From 2028, homes in England valued over £2 million will face an annual surcharge on top of their council tax:
£2,500 for homes worth £2m - £2.5m
£5,000 for homes worth £2.5m - £5m
£7,500 for homes worth over £5m

Many voted for change, expecting a government that would uphold fairness, not echo the rhetoric of those that scapegoat and divide.
We urge everyone to resist the pull of reactionary politics and instead focus on the real solutions that fix the issues genuinely affecting our lives.

Councillor Rigby says “This policy is absolutely outrageous… First it was pensioners, then the disabled and now asylum seekers.
If you voted for this government, now is the time to tell them this is not what you voted for.”
We understand the frustration of those who feel let down.