PODCAST:More or Less: Behind the Stats
TITLE:Council tax weirdness: Hartlepool vs Westminster
DATE:2024-02-07 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
In the "More or Less Behind the Stats" podcast episode titled "Council Tax Weirdness Hartlepool vs Westminster," hosted by Tim Harford, the focus is on the disparities in council tax between different regions in the UK. The episode highlights a specific comparison made by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, which stated that a household in Hartlepool with a house worth £150,000 pays over £200 more in council tax annually than a household in Westminster with a property worth £8 million. Kate Ogden from the Institute for Fiscal Studies explains the banding system that categorizes properties into bands A to H based on their 1991 value, and how this system inherently benefits those with very expensive houses due to the cap on the highest band. The conversation also touches on the unique case of Westminster, which has the lowest council tax bills in England, and contrasts it with Hartlepool, where council tax is above the average. The episode critically examines the council tax system, revealing it to be outdated and regressive, and discusses the impact of not updating property valuations since 1991. Although Westminster is an outlier, the fundamental issue of an unfair council tax system, where expensive properties can end up paying less tax than more modest homes, remains valid. The podcast then shifts to explore the UK's population projections, the cost of junior doctor strikes, and the environmental impact of homegrown food, debunking the notion that growing vegetables at home is worse for the planet than buying from supermarkets. The episode concludes with a tribute to Adele Groyer, a friend of the program and contributor during the pandemic, who recently passed away.
