Mark Sandford
@marksandford.bsky.social
Local and regional government, funding issues, national and regional identity; mostly writing for the House of Commons Library but elsewhere too. Occasional attempts at folk music, cycling, making food
Reposted by Mark Sandford
This edition includes contributions from Dave Busfield-Birch, Tom Fleming, Jim Gallagher, Robert Hazell, @rowaninlondon.bsky.social, @lisajames.bsky.social, @hannahkelly.bsky.social, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, Meg Russell, @marksandford.bsky.social, @paulsilk.bsky.social and @alanwhysall.bsky.social.
November 25, 2025 at 7:01 AM
This edition includes contributions from Dave Busfield-Birch, Tom Fleming, Jim Gallagher, Robert Hazell, @rowaninlondon.bsky.social, @lisajames.bsky.social, @hannahkelly.bsky.social, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, Meg Russell, @marksandford.bsky.social, @paulsilk.bsky.social and @alanwhysall.bsky.social.
What does a tourist tax look like? For information about what has been done in Scotland and Wales, see commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Tourist taxes: policy and debates
A briefing about transient visitor levies or 'tourist taxes', including information on plans for the introduction of tourist taxes in Scotland and Wales.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
November 17, 2025 at 10:31 AM
What does a tourist tax look like? For information about what has been done in Scotland and Wales, see commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
4) Add a government share of council tax. I've assumed above that a rise in revenue would go to councils, but some authorities (counties, police, mayors) already take a share (a 'precept'). If the money is needed for Government priorities could they take a precept too?
November 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
4) Add a government share of council tax. I've assumed above that a rise in revenue would go to councils, but some authorities (counties, police, mayors) already take a share (a 'precept'). If the money is needed for Government priorities could they take a precept too?
3) A separate mansion tax. Likely not a runner. Anticipate long delays due to legal challenges over valuation, second homes, etc. Should values be based on 1991, like council tax, or on a more recent date? If the latter, why not revalue everywhere? Etc.
November 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
3) A separate mansion tax. Likely not a runner. Anticipate long delays due to legal challenges over valuation, second homes, etc. Should values be based on 1991, like council tax, or on a more recent date? If the latter, why not revalue everywhere? Etc.
This can be done very quickly, by an Order in Parliament. The Scottish Government has done this twice in the last decade, raising the band ratios for bands E, F, G and H.
The effects would - time permitting - feed through to the review of council funding that is due to take effect in April.
The effects would - time permitting - feed through to the review of council funding that is due to take effect in April.
November 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
This can be done very quickly, by an Order in Parliament. The Scottish Government has done this twice in the last decade, raising the band ratios for bands E, F, G and H.
The effects would - time permitting - feed through to the review of council funding that is due to take effect in April.
The effects would - time permitting - feed through to the review of council funding that is due to take effect in April.
2) Adjust the band ratios. Currently, in any given council, the council tax bills in different bands are in fixed ratios. So a band H bill is always double a band D bill, for instance.
However, this could be changed so that, for instance, a band H bill is 3x a band D bill
However, this could be changed so that, for instance, a band H bill is 3x a band D bill
November 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
2) Adjust the band ratios. Currently, in any given council, the council tax bills in different bands are in fixed ratios. So a band H bill is always double a band D bill, for instance.
However, this could be changed so that, for instance, a band H bill is 3x a band D bill
However, this could be changed so that, for instance, a band H bill is 3x a band D bill
That points towards doing a full revaluation. That would take a long time, thus increasing the time for argument over what new bands should look like, and also creating more delay before councils actually see any extra funding from this source
November 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
That points towards doing a full revaluation. That would take a long time, thus increasing the time for argument over what new bands should look like, and also creating more delay before councils actually see any extra funding from this source
1) Add extra bands - I, J, K etc - and charge them higher rates.
BUT to put properties in those higher bands you really need to check all properties. You can't assume that properties that belong in higher bands - however defined - are all currently in (say) bands G and H
BUT to put properties in those higher bands you really need to check all properties. You can't assume that properties that belong in higher bands - however defined - are all currently in (say) bands G and H
November 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
1) Add extra bands - I, J, K etc - and charge them higher rates.
BUT to put properties in those higher bands you really need to check all properties. You can't assume that properties that belong in higher bands - however defined - are all currently in (say) bands G and H
BUT to put properties in those higher bands you really need to check all properties. You can't assume that properties that belong in higher bands - however defined - are all currently in (say) bands G and H
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/c...
There are - very initial - signs that sub-national government in England is on this track: collaboration, integrated funding, local innovation. Can these lead to real change in governance practices?
There are - very initial - signs that sub-national government in England is on this track: collaboration, integrated funding, local innovation. Can these lead to real change in governance practices?
Neglected Solutions to Our Biggest Problems
Dani Rodrik argues that we already have the tools we need to address the world's biggest economic challenges.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 3, 2025 at 9:29 AM
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/c...
There are - very initial - signs that sub-national government in England is on this track: collaboration, integrated funding, local innovation. Can these lead to real change in governance practices?
There are - very initial - signs that sub-national government in England is on this track: collaboration, integrated funding, local innovation. Can these lead to real change in governance practices?