Calls are growing for a complete overhaul of council tax, particularly in towns where residents feel they are being short-changed.
Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash has highlighted what he describes as a deep-rooted injustice in the current system, pointing out that Band A homeowners in his constituency pay nearly 2.5 times more than in Westminster.
Mr Brash, who chairs the cross-party group of MPs on council tax reform, said: "Council tax is one of the most unfair taxes in Britain, and nowhere is that injustice clearer than in towns like Hartlepool."
According to the Fairer Share campaign, a flat-rate annual charge could save households in Hartlepool around £950 per year.
The issue has drawn national attention, with recent comments from Prime Minister Andy Burnham who acknowledged the unfairness of the existing system.
Mr Burnham said: "There are people here in Greater Manchester who pay a much higher council tax than people living in much larger homes in London.
"So the Chancellor before, Rachel Reeves, was right to start to reform council tax to create some fairness there in relation to people in homes that are of much greater value, who haven’t seen their council tax go up over the years because of the failure to revalue the banding.
"So that’s an example of something that I think was right and fair."
He also emphasised the Government’s need to stick to its 2024 manifesto commitments, noting that any changes would need to be consistent with what the public was promised at the last general election.
Mr Burnham has previously said he is open to reform, describing himself as "persuaded" by the need for change.
Speculation has swirled around whether the Government could scrap council tax or stamp duty entirely, but Downing Street has denied this is under active consideration.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "As has always been the case, decisions on tax are a matter for the Chancellor to set out at fiscal events."
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However, Conservative figures have accused Labour of plotting to raise taxes on homeowners, framing the debate as a threat to hard-working families rather than a move toward greater fairness.
Sir James Cleverly, shadow housing secretary, said: "Andy Burnham and Labour are just looking for more ways to tax middle England, and raise taxes on people’s homes.
"Replacing council tax and stamp duty with a new house price tax would not be a tax cut for hardworking families – quite the reverse: people across England would end up paying more."
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