Taxation & Spending
John Gummer's views regarding council tax and tuition fees
Tuition Fees
I believe that higher education should be free for those who have demonstrated the ability and the aptitude to complete the course, and for that course to be a benefit to their future life. This does not mean setting quotas on the basis of race, religion, or background. Nor does it mean that we should insist that 50% of our young people should go whether they are suitable or not. There are many other forms of further education and different periods of courses which might be much more suitable.
Council Taxes
In recent years, the Government has increased the responsibilities of District and County Councils from Central Government to Local Government. Unfortunately, they have not supported the increased responsibilities with an increase in the necessary funding. This has led to the ever-increasing Council Tax that we all know and have to pay.
The system of Council Tax is not bad in itself. It certainly is better than a local income tax by which very many people would pay more. What is wrong is the failure of the Government to increase its central grants to meet the costs of new regulations that the Government has introduced. It is also a scandal that this Government has purposely reduced the money coming to small rural districts and used it to butter up the electors in urban areas it controls and hopes to keep.
Debt - Third World
It was Ken Clarke who as Chancellor of the Exchequer started the efforts that Britain has led to relieve the debt of third world nations. This has been carried on by the present Government and I wholly support the steps already taken and the further extension now being formulated.
We have a responsibility towards those countries whom we encouraged to borrow beyond their means. There is still a great deal more to be done in reforming the terms of trade so that these nations get a fairer share in the world's resources. Nonetheless, it is also important that they seek to eradicate the corruption and instability that makes it so difficult to properly help them.
Debt - Personal
Debt levels in this country have grown to unlooked for levels. Like many others I am worried that so many people assume that interest rates will remain low and borrow up to the hilt so that any rise in their repayments is likely to stretch them beyond the limit.
I have been appointed a member of the Government supported Financial Services Authority's Commision on improving financial understanding amonst the population in general. We do need to find ways of ensuring that as many as possible understand the perils as well as the opportunities offered by the financial services industry. Better education is an important part of the wider battle to help people plan for their own futures as well as for their businesses, healthcare and education.
LINKS
Leiston Citizens Advice Bureau
Suffolk County Council
Suffolk Coastal District Council