Housing troubles

I NOTICED that Alex Neil, the Cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment, is consulting on proposals to give local authorities the power to impose a council tax levy of up to 100 per cent on property empty for more than six months (your report, 20 October).

I ask how this imposition would affect those unable to sell their houses in the many areas where the housing market is static? These proposals will drive house prices down, which may seem a good idea to some, but will result in the disaster of negative equity for many others.

As the poor are driven ever-deeper into despair and those in the middle are caught in a downward spiral of insecurity and anxiety, the predatory rich are indifferent and those politicians who do not fall into the category of the indifferent rich, seem paralysed, unable to take effective action.

We must support our young people in the Occupy Edinburgh and Glasgow movements who, on our behalf, are shouting “enough is enough”.

JOHN MILNE

Ardgowan Drive,

Uddingston South Lanarkshire