JOSEPH ROWNTREE would have been proud.

In recent years, the Foundation set up in his name has done a sterling job of standing up for the poor. It has highlighted the reality of poverty in modern-day Britain; campaigned for a living wage; and drawn attention to the urgent need to make our towns and cities more welcoming places for the growing number of people suffering from dementia.

Now it has called for urgent reform of one of the most hated of all taxes – council tax.

The Foundation says council tax is “regressive” in that it is unfair because it takes a disproportionate amount of money from low-income households in cheaper homes.

Instead, it has called for council tax to be replaced by a new, “progressive” property tax – one based on property values.

This, if phased in gradually over time, could see the tax bills of two thirds of households reduced, while those in expensive homes would pay more, the Foundation said.

This is an interesting idea: and one that we’re sure many (though not all) readers would look on favourably.

It does, however, present a number of problems. In a city like York, where house prices are higher than in much of the rest of Yorkshire, would that mean tax bills increasing?

And would large families be penalised simply because they needed larger homes?

Nevertheless, by publishing its report, the Foundation has prompted a debate about council tax, and the need to reform it, which is wholly welcome.

We look forward to Press readers having their say, whether online or though our letters pages.