Voluntary tax on £10m mansions

THE country’s first voluntary ‘ mansion tax’ – on properties worth more than £10million – could be introduced soon, it has emerged.

Alongside normal tax bills, Westminster council wants to use government powers to collect extra payments under another top council tax band – starting in April.

Council leader Nickie Aiken said she was certain wealthy people would pay up, telling The Sunday Times: ‘ This scheme might have its cynics, but I have spoken to very wealthy people who want to help the borough more.’

The voluntary scheme will be labelled ‘Westminster community contribution’ as opposed to mansion tax. Doubling the £1,376 council tax they already pay per year, Mrs Aiken proposes to collect the supplement from £10million band H property owners – roughly 2,000 households.

If the wealthy owners make the payment, the new scheme would raise a further £2.75million a year. Confident the idea could spread, Mrs Aiken has discussed plans with other leaders of London boroughs and Surrey county council. She will announce further details on Tuesday at the Conservative Party conference.