I am grateful for this opportunity to present a petition on the important subject of the council tax, the level of which has almost doubled in the past decade. The petition reads:

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of residents of the Taunton constituency and others,

Declares that the petitioners are extremely concerned that the determination of Council Tax levels in Taunton Deane and nationally do not fairly reflect the ability of citizens to pay

Further notes that pensioners and those on a low income are especially disadvantaged as they have to pay a larger proportion of their income towards Council Tax than those with higher incomes

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to abolish the Council Tax and replace it with a system that reflects the ability to pay.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

To lie upon the Table.