Skip to main content
Why do we persist in taxing the wrong sort of incomes?
Land and other natural resources are a free gift of nature and their economic value only arises from society’s combined need to use them, argues HEATHER WETZEL
FAIR TAXATION: Invercauld House dates back to the 13th century, it lies near Braemar and Balmoral Castles it is the seat of the chief of the Farquharson clan [Alan Findlay/CC]

WHEN we talk about the rising costs of rents, mortgages, energy costs, public transport, food, etc, or exceedingly high bonuses paid to the bosses of our energy and water companies, huge payouts to shareholders of once publicly owned companies and the super-rich getting even richer, we are failing to recognise there is a feature common to all of them – natural resources. 

Land and other natural resources are a free gift of nature and their economic value only arises from society’s combined need to use them. By accepting the private ownership of land, minerals, water, aggregates, oil, gas, the spectrum for mobile phones etc, we also accept the private ownership of natural resource wealth.

In England, the earliest taxes were on land and as landowners created and controlled Parliament, taxes were shifted on to work and production, leaving landowners to receive a continuous stream of unearned wealth as the economy grew. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Attendees listen to Brazil’s President Lula during Cop30
Features / 18 November 2025
18 November 2025

From summit to summit, imperialist companies and governments cut, delay or water down their commitments, warn the Communist Parties of Britain, France, Portugal and Spain and the Workers Party of Belgium in a joint statement on Cop30

A sign in a field by the M40 near Warwick, protesting the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules, November 2024
Landownership / 22 October 2025
22 October 2025

CAROL WILCOX argues for the proper implementation of the land value tax, which could see unused plots sold off and landlords priced out of landlordism, potentially resolving the housing and planning crises

The Canary Wharf skyline viewed through the haze from Alexandra Palace, north London
Features / 12 September 2025
12 September 2025

Climate justice and workers’ rights movements are uniting to make the rich pay for our transition to a green economy, writes assistant general secretary of PCS JOHN MOLONEY, ahead of a major demonstration on September 20