Sir, Alex Salmond demonstrates good judgment in his proposals on local taxation (“Nationalists up for a fight with Westminster over scrapping council tax”, Sept 4).

While we in England see difficulties instead of advantages, Salmond sees opportunity to remove an iniquitously unfair tax. By attaching it to income tax, he will avoid the difficulties of the poll tax, for the unemployed will not be affected. He stole the concept from the Lib Dems, yes, but he is in a position to put it into action.

Adrienne May

North Walsham, Norfolk

Sir, Once in a while a government does something sensible that will benefit the majority of the populace.

This is a highly efficient tax that will be collected by HM Revenue & Customs and will make hundreds of millions of pounds in efficiency savings. Councils will be able to reduce their staffing levels and expensive computer systems as they will no longer be required to collect council tax.

It is a very simple tax: a household earning £30,000 a year will pay £900 extra tax and will no longer pay £1,200 to £1,500 in council tax. The lower income households will be much better off. The only losers will be those with higher salaries.

I only wish we had a government who would introduce this splendid plan into England and Wales.

Well done, Alex Salmond.

Steve Houghton

Orpington, Kent

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