TAP Calls for Britain's Biggest Tax Cut Through Fair Tax Reform

Abolish Council Tax, Scrap Business Rates and Tax Land Instead

London, 27 July 2026 – Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) today called for what it describes as Britain's biggest tax cut for ordinary households and businesses, centred on replacing Council Tax, Stamp Duty and Business Rates with a modern system of Land Value Tax.

TAP believes the debate around tax reform has been dominated by the wrong question.

Instead of asking, "How do we raise more tax?", Britain should be asking, "How do we reduce the tax burden on working people while creating a fairer and more productive economy?"

According to TAP, Land Value Tax should not be presented as a new tax, but as the mechanism for abolishing two of Britain's least popular and most economically damaging taxes. An estimated 69% of the 27m UK housholds would benefit from a reduction in property taxes giving a boost to over 44m people. Those who own the more valuable land will pay more, these are mainly concentrated in South East.

Tom Burgess, CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty, said:

"It is very encouraging that the new Prime Minister has said publicly that he is in favour of Land Value Tax so we are looking forward to a positive indication that this will actually happen. There has definitely been more talk in the media, so people are warming to the idea"

"For decades, Land Value Tax has been discussed as if it were another tax. That is the wrong conversation. This is actually Britain's biggest tax cut.

It means abolishing Council Tax. It means abolishing Stamp Duty. It means abolishing Business Rates. It means reducing taxes on work and creating stronger local economies. The winners are ordinary households, small businesses, high streets and local communities."

TAP argues that Council Tax has become one of Britain's most regressive taxes, placing an increasing burden on households regardless of their ability to pay.

The organisation proposes:

• Immediate abolition of Council Tax for renters to give huge boost to cost of living pressures for lower income groups.

• Immediate abolition of Stamp Duty on house sales

• A phased replacement of Council Tax with a Land Value Tax paid by landowners rather than occupiers.

• Replacement of Business Rates with Land Value Tax, reducing costs for small businesses while encouraging productive use of land.

TAP believes the reform would fundamentally change incentives across the economy.

"Today we tax people for living in their homes, businesses for investing in their premises and entrepreneurs for creating jobs," Tom Burgess said. "Instead, we should tax the underlying land value that is largely created by society through public investment, planning permission and economic development."

The organisation says the benefits extend far beyond taxation.

A modern Land Value Tax system could:

·       Reduce the cost of living.

·       Lower operating costs for independent businesses.

·       Encourage housebuilding.

·       Discourage land banking and speculation.

·       Regenerate town centres.

·       Support manufacturing and productive investment.

·       Reduce inequality.

·       Strengthen local government finances.

TAP is also calling for a significant expansion of fiscal devolution, allowing cities and regions to retain Land Value Tax revenues and invest directly in local priorities.

Under the proposal, increases in land values created by public investment—such as new railway stations, tram systems or regeneration projects—would help fund further infrastructure rather than flowing entirely into private windfall gains.

"This is how many successful cities around the world finance long-term growth," Tom Burgess said. "When public investment creates private land value, it is entirely reasonable that part of that value is reinvested for public benefit."

TAP believes the reform should form part of a wider programme that includes:

·       Lower taxes on work.

·       Fairer taxation of wealth.

·       Affordable housing around transport hubs.

·       Greater powers for cities and regions.

·       Investment in transport infrastructure.

·       A stronger focus on wellbeing and inclusive growth.

The organisation said the growing political interest in Land Value Tax provides a unique opportunity to move the debate forward.

"The question is no longer whether Britain needs tax reform," Tom Burgess concluded.

"The question is whether we have the courage to replace outdated taxes with a system that rewards work, supports enterprise, lowers the cost of living and creates prosperity that is shared more widely. This is not about creating a new tax. It is about creating a better Britain."

Taxpayers Against Poverty will shortly publish a detailed roadmap setting out how Britain could transition from Council Tax, Stamp Duty and Business Rates to a modern Land Value Tax system over the next Parliament. TAP. is seeking to partner with other organisations seeking to reform property taxes

ENDS

For media enquiries, interviews, or comment: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against PovertyEmail: media@taxpayersagainstpovery.org  Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk

About Taxpayers Against Poverty

Taxpayers against Poverty is a UK-based independent advocacy group dedicated to tackling poverty, inequality, and economic injustice TAP seeks to influence national and local policy by promoting practical economic proposals that have a positive effect on reducing poverty and unnecessary financial hardship using a direct approach to decision makers and other influencers.

TAP was founded by the late Rev Paul Nicolson and is led by Tom Burgess, author of From Here to Prosperity, a new political agenda for a sustainable economy and greater social justice, which proposes taxing wealth more and income less. TAP is part of Real Agenda Ltd, a not-for-profit social enterprise bringing together campaigns, research, media and public engagement to tackle poverty, inequality and the barriers preventing people from thriving, this includes Compassion in Politics which seeks to bring more honesty, respect and compassion into political life as well as The Progressive Policy Unit (PPU) which develops practical, evidence-based proposals on poverty prevention, economic fairness, taxation, public services and social wellbeing.