David Cameron refuses to apologise for poll tax

DAVID Cameron has refused to apologise for the poll tax after he was challenged about his party’s decision to introduce it a year early in Scotland 25 years ago.

David Cameron said 'the council tax is a much better replacement.' Picture: PA

During Prime Minister’s questions (PMQs) Motherwell Labour MP Frank Roy reminded Mr Cameron of the anniversary of Margaret Thatcher’s government’s decision to “impose the poll tax on the people of Scotland” and demanded an apology.

But Mr Cameron said: “My views on this are well known. I think the council tax is a much better replacement.”

He said the issue was to keep the cost of the council tax down.

He added: “That is why on this side of the House we support a freeze.”

Earlier in PMQs Glasgow Central Labour MP Anas Sarwar, the deputy leader of Scottish Labour, reminded Mr Cameron that it was the SNP’s support for a no-confidence motion in Jim Callaghan’s Labour government in 1979 that led to Mrs Thatcher coming to power.

He said that the Conservatives and SNP both now support cutting tax for the wealthy by reducing corporation tax.

He added: “Doesn’t this show that it is not separation Scotland needs but liberation from Tory economic policies.”

Mr Cameron replied: “I am glad he has reminded me of the one useful thing the SNP have done in their history.”

He added that the reduction in corporation tax to 21 per cent will “attract new businesses to Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”