Most would pay extra tax to pay for social care

A new Localis poll has revealed that the majority of people would be willing to pay more in council tax or voluntary one-off levies to better fund particular local services across the country. 

Looking at how best to help older people to live independently for longer, increase support for local homeless people; improve disability access and repair potholes, Localis' Monetising Goodwill report reveals the top five public services people would pay more per month in council tax for: public health, fire, police, adult social care and children’s social care.

Regional variations in attitudes to tax and spending showed residents of the East Midlands were the most willing to make bigger tax contributions, followed by respondents from Yorkshire and the Humber and London.

Variations by political allegiance revealed that Labour voters would be more willing to pay extra tax in every service barring road maintenance, whereas Conservative supporters would be willing to pay extra, specifically in the areas of social housing, improved sexual health and support for local homeless people.

Jonathan Werran, interim chief executive of Localis, said: “The agenda for improving local services and policy outcomes will fail if the agenda focuses solely on people paying more tax. Councils need greater fiscal flexibilities through the Government either raising precept caps significantly or by outright abolishing laws for triggering council tax referendums. But for their part residents deserve a right to choose by voting on spending packages funded by hikes in council tax charges, as well as a say in how extra funds raised by voluntary levies should be allocated to community groups delivering local services.”

Jack Airey, report author and head of research at Localis, said: “Our work identifies the services and issues that the public would be willing to pay more to fund either in tax increases or a one-off levy. As the nation reaches a tipping point on austerity in local services, places should be provided the freedoms and platform to monetise that goodwill.”