How a different basis of taxation would affect the ordinary householder,

In other Topic Papers in this series, we show the various advantages which would be expected to follow from the introduction of Land Value Taxation (LVT) in this country.

Is the “housing shortage” real or artificial? How could the situation be improved? 

Sometimes the experiences of other countries, even where conditions are very different from those in Britain, provide some very useful ideas which could be adapted and used.

It is often claimed that Scotland’s topography and weather patterns could enable it to become the renewable energy capital of Europe.

 Sometimescompletely new problems arise, which demand solutions. When people face these new problems, important light is often cast on much older problems. A number of developments in the past century or so have cast light on one of the oldest of the political and economic problems, but one which is still very much with us: who should own and control land, and on what terms.

Taxation for local government is a confused hotch-potch. How can the situation be improved?

People interested in improving the environment are not using all the available “weapons” in order to do so. 

This mighty burden of taxation means that fewer useful things can be done to help the environment. – Technology and legislation may have profound effects on the environment, good and bad.

Some land is kept out of use, or not used in the most profitable way, for environmental or cultural reasons. That is quite right. Unfortunately a lot of land which could be used for housing, for industry or for other useful purposes is also held out of use.