tag:theconversation.com,2011:/au/topics/data-stories-8605/articlesData stories – The Conversation2017-11-16T05:34:41Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/875082017-11-16T05:34:41Z2017-11-16T05:34:41ZHow the same-sex marriage survey got us talking about – and trusting – data<p>Internet speed and download potential is what commonly comes to mind when we think of data. But Australia has recently been talking a different kind of data: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/australia-marriage-equality-yes-vote-2017-11">statistics</a>. </p>
<p>Australia has never seen the likes of the same-sex marriage survey. And the process gave us a crash course in using data to inform change. </p>
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<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-the-numbers-say-and-dont-say-in-the-same-sex-marriage-survey-87096">What the numbers say (and don't say) in the same-sex marriage survey</a>
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<p>From conception, mail out and mail back, to results (and the mishaps and misadventures of mailing paper forms to more than 16 million eligible Australians), this speedy application and immediacy of change informed by survey data is unprecedented on this scale in Australia. </p>
<p>And it is Australians’ unfamiliarity with a survey directly affecting legislation which might help us understand some of the results observed in socially conservative <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-social-conservatism-among-ethnic-communities-drove-a-strong-no-vote-in-western-sydney-87509">areas</a>. </p>
<h2>Data for change</h2>
<p>Australians are no strangers to handing over data about ourselves. From brands of shampoo we use, television programs we watch, store loyalty benefits, to personal income, we do not seem to mind sharing our <a href="http://politicsir.cass.anu.edu.au/research/projects/electoral-surveys/anupoll">opinions</a> and <a href="http://www.nielsen.com/au/en.html">information</a>. </p>
<p>The 2016 census saw a departure from this, as we collectively grappled with the idea of what it is to live in an increasingly digital environment. Fears over <a href="https://theconversation.com/census-2016-should-you-be-concerned-about-your-privacy-63206">privacy</a> and security of personal information collected in the census resulted in debates about the <a href="https://theconversation.com/in-a-world-awash-with-data-is-the-census-still-relevant-70642">collection</a> and holding of data.</p>
<p>Data is all around us. We make decisions drawing on data in our everyday lives based on our experiences. Knowing the best time to commute to work to avoid traffic, the softest or strongest toilet paper, reliable car brands; these are just a few examples. </p>
<p>But rarely do we see the real impact of surveys on our lives (to the disappointment of many researchers). When it comes to applying data derived by researchers, some people are wary, distrustful, afraid of data. Even when collected by experts. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australians-attitudes-to-vaccination-are-more-complex-than-a-simple-pro-or-anti-label-74245">Australians' attitudes to vaccination are more complex than a simple 'pro' or 'anti' label</a>
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<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/consensus-confirmed-over-90-of-climate-scientists-believe-were-causing-global-warming-57654">Climate change</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/australians-attitudes-to-vaccination-are-more-complex-than-a-simple-pro-or-anti-label-74245">vaccination</a> debates offer examples of how scepticism of experts and data collection lead to people drawing on their own anecdotal experiences for evidence. Our lived experiences form much of our opinions and attitudes.</p>
<h2>An optional, non-binding survey</h2>
<p>Most Australians (<a href="https://marriagesurvey.abs.gov.au/results/">80%</a>) took on the responsibility of creating social change through data when asked to respond to the single question about marriage law reform.</p>
<p>Participating in a survey, unlike a plebiscite or referendum, is <a href="http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/referendums/types.htm">optional</a>. And, the result is non-binding (as is also the case in a plebiscite). </p>
<p>Participation in voluntary surveys is influenced by complex factors including personal motivation and attitudes. The marriage survey sought opinions on change, a change for some which meant internal grappling with social norms, traditional beliefs and religion. </p>
<p>This is in stark contrast to the comparatively mundane procedural changes stemming from Australian <a href="http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/referendums/Referendum_Dates_and_Results.htm">referendums</a> (with the exception of the social impacts of the <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-26/larissa-behrendt-mythbusting-the-1967-referendum/8349858">1967 referendum</a>). </p>
<p>For many, marriage and family is a vital aspect of community, and change may have been perceived as threatening to a way of being. This may have been burdensome for some Australians as they made decisions about how to respond to the same-sex marriage survey.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/same-sex-marriage-survey-by-the-stats-a-resounding-yes-but-western-sydney-leads-no-vote-87258">Same-sex marriage survey by the stats: a resounding 'yes' but western Sydney leads 'no' vote</a>
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<p>Unlike our experiences with voting procedures (for example, small incremental change rather than major reform to avoid electorate backlash), we have received strong indication the marriage survey will likely lead to <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-16/same-sex-marriage-path-cleared-for-legalisation-by-christmas/9155300">legislative change</a> in a matter of weeks. </p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/">Australian Bureau of Statistics</a> — commonly tasked with counting people, sheep and cars (among other things) — redeemed itself after the <a href="https://theconversation.com/did-the-census-really-suffer-a-denial-of-service-attack-63755">Census mishaps of 2016</a> to show the impact of quality statistics and research processes to inform and make change.</p>
<h2>What Australians want</h2>
<p>We can feel a sense of ownership over the marriage law survey results, but actually they told us something we already knew.</p>
<p>Published in August 2017, representative sample <a href="https://theconversation.com/revealed-who-supports-marriage-equality-in-australia-and-who-doesnt-82988">survey data</a> from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (<a href="http://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/hilda">HILDA</a>) survey pointed to the outcome Australians wanted: marriage equality.</p>
<p>The postal ballot put the LGBTIQ community and their families through difficult times, with <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-25/same-sex-marriage-swastika-southern-brisbane/8984768">homophobic</a> and <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/kevin-rudds-godson-attacked-for-defending-yes-posters-for-samesex-marriage-at-brisbane-bus-stop-20170913-gygtd1.html">violent</a> actions reported. The results have also lead to some towns being been called out for their <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/comment/after-postal-vote-we-will-never-think-of-western-sydney-the-same-way-again-20171115-gzm79c.html">opposing views</a> and assumptions made about the people that live there. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/science-is-important-but-moves-too-fast-five-charts-on-how-australians-view-science-and-scientists-82752">Science is important but moves too fast: five charts on how Australians view science and scientists</a>
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<p>The same-sex marriage process has certainly shown that in a climate of fake news, it pays to know data. Participative democracy has reflected what Australians want, but there are important lessons to learn from the same-sex marriage survey. Whole-of-nation polling is best left to matters not as emotionally and socially charged as marriage equality. </p>
<p>In the end, the data shows we did not need a million-dollar nationwide survey of all Australians to confirm what social researchers knew. </p>
<p>The same-sex marriage postal vote results show us that sample surveys are powerful in telling us much about who we are and what we want as a nation.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/87508/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Dr Liz Allen worked at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) between 2006 and 2007. Liz has no ongoing employment or financial links with the ABS. Liz is a user of ABS data for research purposes.</span></em></p>The same-sex marriage postal survey gave Australians a chance to create data for social change. And that’s rare.Liz Allen, Demographer, ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, Australian National UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/562992016-03-31T04:24:40Z2016-03-31T04:24:40ZHow data journalism can empower Africans at the polls and beyond<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/116783/original/image-20160330-28459-1cohhu1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">When complex, dense information is presented visually it can make a huge difference.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>People in Africa are <a href="https://africaplus.wordpress.com/africa-demos-forum-2/claiming-democracy-are-voters-becoming-citizens-in-africa/">learning</a> how to demand accountability from their governments. But they have a way to go before fully making the transition from voters to citizens.</p>
<p>What’s the difference? Voters are “subjects”. They participate in elections hoping to get material benefits from government, but have little or no control over what they get. Citizens, meanwhile, fully understand their political rights and take judicious actions to hold elected representatives accountable. </p>
<p>One way to deepen the attitudes and behaviours of African voters as citizens who demand their rights is to <a href="http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001803/180312e.pdf">empower them</a> with knowledge. This has been proved <a href="http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001803/180312e.pdf">in India</a> through legislation that’s allowed ordinary citizens greater access to information. The media has an important role to play in this empowerment – through visualised storytelling and data journalism.</p>
<h2>What data visualisation can do</h2>
<p>Visualisation is to <a href="http://datajournalismhandbook.org/1.0/en/">data journalism</a> what petrol is to a car. It is the fuel that gets the journalist to the destination of telling complex stories driven by facts so that they can be easily understood. </p>
<p>In simple terms, <a href="http://www.sas.com/en_us/insights/big-data/data-visualization.html">data visualisation</a> involves presenting numerical information using pictures and graphics. Thanks to digital technology, it is now <a href="https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=rYFvnyPRwkgC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=Data+vizualisation&ots=6dAKnuJwL2&sig=cfh2_f_4hlcbi0FqrkJgLMT9arc#v=onepage&q=Data%20vizualisation&f=false">possible</a> to capture, store, analyse and discover a wide variety of data. This retrieved information can then be presented in a consistent, organised way. It can be displayed using strikingly beautiful visuals that grab people’s attention. </p>
<p>When it’s done well, visualisation reveals the trends and patterns in numerical data that could otherwise be hidden. There are <a href="http://www.creativebloq.com/design-tools/data-visualization-712402">many tools</a> that help journalists turn what might appear to be dense or even dull information into something fascinating.</p>
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<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Zg-C8AAIGg?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Data visualisation can change how people see and understand their world.</span></figcaption>
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<p>With interactive visualisation, users can use software to drill deeper into charts and graphs for more detail. This intuitively changes what data is seen and how it’s processed. It enhances an audience’s ability to extract answers and make meaning from the information gathered. This allows people to grasp difficult concepts easily and make informed decisions – such as who’ll get their vote on election day.</p>
<h2>Empowering voters with visualisation</h2>
<p>Twenty-two African countries are holding presidential, parliamentary or general elections in 2016. Critics say that the media offers only shallow reporting and analysis during election campaigns in Africa. They say that newspapers and websites prioritise maximum audience shares and profits by focusing mainly on conflict. In politics, this typically means telling tales of strong individual <a href="http://www.uow.edu.au/%7Esharonb/STS218/media/Framing/personalities.html">personalities struggling against one another</a> for power and personal gain. This “horse race” journalism is further encouraged by media owners’ <a href="http://www.nber.org/papers/w11664.pdf">deep investment</a> in maintaining the status quo. </p>
<p>While there is some truth to this, another explanation is that complex social and political issues in election campaigns are <a href="https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=5IdF-VWQTWkC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=Transformation+of+American+Politics&ots=16bHRxV5BY&sig=an7mxQ7K-n-tqjfkdYFlvXupqus#v=onepage&q=Transformation%20of%20American%20Politics&f=false">difficult to package</a> as compelling news narratives. Typically, complex stories require longer written and verbal descriptions and are more difficult to photograph or televise. They are less exciting to the reader or viewer. </p>
<p>Data journalism and visualisation can really help here. Examples from elsewhere in the world show this is the case.</p>
<p>In the US, for instance, interest in the 2016 presidential election is at a fever pitch. Websites, TV channels, radio stations and newspapers are full of coverage about candidates’ movements, their private lives and their promises. How can an ordinary voter keep track? The <em>New York Times</em> has <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/elections/candidates-on-the-issues.html?_r=0">collected data</a> about candidates’ stances on key issues like immigration, climate change and gun control. Visitors to the site can choose a candidate or an issue to explore in depth.</p>
<p>This could just as easily be applied in African countries to help voters keep up with their candidates.</p>
<h2>Beyond politics and elections</h2>
<p>Visualisation can be a powerful tool beyond elections, too. It can help people to engage with complex social issues. The <em>Guardian</em>, for example, collated an <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2015/jun/01/the-counted-map-us-police-killings">interactive map</a> about police killings in the US. This allows a deeper but visually engaging look at what’s become a huge societal problem.</p>
<p>Also in the US, data visualisation has made people aware of the abuses in <a href="http://lasvegassun.com/hospital-care/">health-care administration</a>. Visualisation has also been used effectively to track the roughly US$1 trillion developing and emerging economies lose as a result of <a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-12-11/visualizing-worlds-hot-money">some illegal activity</a>.</p>
<p>There are some good African examples of visualisation, too. Economist Max Roser has used this approach to track Africa’s general <a href="http://ourworldindata.org/VisualHistoryOf/AfricaInData.html#/title-slide">socio-economic and political progress</a>. He collects often complex, multi-layered data and presents it in a way that’s easy for anyone to navigate.</p>
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<span class="caption">Visualised data shows that child mortality in Africa has reduced dramatically since 1990.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="http://ourworldindata.org/VisualHistoryOf/AfricaInData.html#/2">Max Roser/Our World in Data</a></span>
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<p>A South African website, <a href="http://wazimap.co.za/">Wazimap</a>, allows people to explore their own suburbs using data from the country’s 2011 census. They can see how many households in an area have access to proper water and sanitation, or map the average age of residents.</p>
<iframe id="cr-embed-ward-79800093-child_households-household_size_distribution" class="census-reporter-embed" src="https://embed.wazimap.co.za/static/iframe.html?geoID=ward-79800093&chartDataID=child_households-household_size_distribution&dataYear=2011&chartType=grouped_column&chartHeight=200&chartQualifier=&chartTitle=Size+of+household+by+age+of+household+head&initialSort=&statType=scaled-percentage" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="300" style="margin: 1em; max-width: 720px;"></iframe>
<h2>Endless opportunities</h2>
<p>There’s no end to how this visualisation can be used. Journalists could track access to energy, map household income distribution, and unpack information about life expectancy and birth rates. Virtually any data that makes citizens more socially and politically aware can be visualised. And keen coverage of complex issues is part of journalists’ responsibility – whether they’re helping people decide who deserves their vote or uncovering private sector corruption.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/56299/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Osabuohien P. Amienyi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Data journalism and visualisation can help ordinary citizens understand complex issues in their societies more deeply. And that drives democracy.Osabuohien P. Amienyi, Professor of Creative Media Production and Chair, Department of Media, Arkansas State UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/539912016-02-17T17:12:16Z2016-02-17T17:12:16ZFive maps that prove it’s time to reform council tax in England<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/111831/original/image-20160217-20129-wn5e5m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/vicki_burton/8564626703/sizes/o/">vic_burton/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>As local authorities set out their budgets for the year, council tax is set to rise in many regions across England. Councils in <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-35556317">Lancashire</a>, <a href="http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/revealed-council-tax-bill-rise-10899620">Coventry</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-35588685">Cornwall</a> and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-35538873">Surrey</a>, among <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/west/2016-02-17/council-tax-increases-what-you-need-to-know/">others</a>, have agreed to hikes of up to 4%. But while council tax will be crucial to help local authorities absorb cuts from central government, there are <a href="https://theconversation.com/council-tax-reform-is-long-overdue-so-how-do-we-do-it-45534">serious doubts</a> as to whether the levy is fit for purpose. </p>
<p>First introduced in 1993, council tax is imposed on properties to help pay for local services, council wages and administration. In general, how much council tax people pay depends on which “band” their property falls into. These bands are allocated by property value, ranging from A (the lowest value) to H (the highest value). But here’s the catch: in England, council tax bands are still based on property values from 1991. </p>
<p>I decided to map out the differences between 1991 council tax valuations and today’s house prices, to see whether the tax is as <a href="http://www.ifs.org.uk/comms/comm123.pdf">regressive</a> and arbitrary as <a href="http://npi.org.uk/publications/council-tax/council-tax-reform-age-localism-why-councils-should-take-lea/">some suggest</a>. </p>
<h2>The big housing boom</h2>
<p>Let’s begin with some numbers. If your house was worth £50,000 in 1991, it would now be worth about double that, if it had risen in line with inflation. If this had occurred uniformly across the country, it wouldn’t be a problem – but we all know that this didn’t happen. Instead, house prices rocketed, particularly in London and the south-east. For example, in 2014 the average price in Burnley was £85,000 (up 166% since 1995), while in Kensington and Chelsea it was £1.2m (up 558%). </p>
<p>The fact that some prices have risen more than others is a major issue, because it means the amount we pay in council tax is increasingly detached from the relative value of our properties. In other words, those whose properties have risen disproportionately in value are paying less than their fair share of council tax. </p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110437/original/image-20160205-18308-hsokpz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110437/original/image-20160205-18308-hsokpz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110437/original/image-20160205-18308-hsokpz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110437/original/image-20160205-18308-hsokpz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110437/original/image-20160205-18308-hsokpz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110437/original/image-20160205-18308-hsokpz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=628&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110437/original/image-20160205-18308-hsokpz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=628&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110437/original/image-20160205-18308-hsokpz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=628&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">House Price Growth, 1995 to 2014.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">ONS</span></span>
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<p>Looking at average house price growth in the top and bottom 25 local authorities in England since 1995, we can see that prices have gone up across the board – but there is now a much bigger gap between the richest and poorest areas.</p>
<p>With a little help from colleagues at the <a href="https://data.cdrc.ac.uk/">Consumer Data Research Centre</a>, I mapped out the differences between house prices and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/council-tax-stock-of-properties-2015">council tax bands</a>. Below, I have shown the biggest council tax band for each area in the borough, alongside a small inset map showing average house prices. Both maps are coloured according to the 1991 council tax banding. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110485/original/image-20160205-18308-e45xwh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110485/original/image-20160205-18308-e45xwh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110485/original/image-20160205-18308-e45xwh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110485/original/image-20160205-18308-e45xwh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110485/original/image-20160205-18308-e45xwh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110485/original/image-20160205-18308-e45xwh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110485/original/image-20160205-18308-e45xwh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110485/original/image-20160205-18308-e45xwh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Council tax bands vs house prices, 2015 (Islington).</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Valuation Office Agency, HM Land Registry</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Starting with the London borough of Islington, we can immediately see that the variation in council tax bands sits in stark contrast to today’s average house prices. In 1995, the first year data are available for, the average house price in Islington was £105,000. By 2014 it had reached £533,000. Most properties in Islington belong in the top band of council tax – but, according to the data, there are no areas where more houses fall under band H than any other category. </p>
<p>Perhaps unsurprisingly, this is also the case across much of London. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/111833/original/image-20160217-19275-13lvu8o.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/111833/original/image-20160217-19275-13lvu8o.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/111833/original/image-20160217-19275-13lvu8o.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/111833/original/image-20160217-19275-13lvu8o.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/111833/original/image-20160217-19275-13lvu8o.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/111833/original/image-20160217-19275-13lvu8o.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/111833/original/image-20160217-19275-13lvu8o.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/111833/original/image-20160217-19275-13lvu8o.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">House prices by council tax band in London (1995-2015).</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">HM Land Registry</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In more rural locations, such as West Oxfordshire, the contrast between council tax bands and current house prices is not as stark. But the variation is now very much out of line with the original 1991 valuations: some areas have gained value more quickly than others. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110457/original/image-20160205-18277-jc0ne9.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110457/original/image-20160205-18277-jc0ne9.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110457/original/image-20160205-18277-jc0ne9.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110457/original/image-20160205-18277-jc0ne9.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110457/original/image-20160205-18277-jc0ne9.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110457/original/image-20160205-18277-jc0ne9.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110457/original/image-20160205-18277-jc0ne9.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110457/original/image-20160205-18277-jc0ne9.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Council tax bands vs house prices, 2015 (West Oxfordshire)</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Valuation Office Agency, HM Land Registry</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>To take two contrasting examples from elsewhere in England, we can look at Cornwall and Liverpool. In the former, the purchase of second homes has driven up house prices, so much so that the council <a href="https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-tax/council-tax-discounts-and-premium/">removed the 10% discount</a> for these properties in 2013, following a change in government regulations. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110470/original/image-20160205-18284-18z8lzu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110470/original/image-20160205-18284-18z8lzu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110470/original/image-20160205-18284-18z8lzu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110470/original/image-20160205-18284-18z8lzu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110470/original/image-20160205-18284-18z8lzu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110470/original/image-20160205-18284-18z8lzu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110470/original/image-20160205-18284-18z8lzu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110470/original/image-20160205-18284-18z8lzu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Council tax bands vs house prices, 2015 (Cornwall).</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Valuation Office Agency, HM Land Registry</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Meanwhile in Liverpool, where around 60% of properties are in the lowest value band A, the current variation in house prices is also out of line with the 1991 bands. House prices have risen much faster in some areas than others, particularly in well-connected, inner-suburban areas such as Mossley Hill and Aigburth. The effect – as noted <a href="http://npi.org.uk/files/3714/4904/8704/CT_reform_-_a_discussion_paper-_update_Nov_15_TBB.pdf">by the New Policy Institute</a> – is that “as time goes by, council tax becomes ever more arbitrary”.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110472/original/image-20160205-18274-5wc1ts.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110472/original/image-20160205-18274-5wc1ts.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/110472/original/image-20160205-18274-5wc1ts.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110472/original/image-20160205-18274-5wc1ts.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110472/original/image-20160205-18274-5wc1ts.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110472/original/image-20160205-18274-5wc1ts.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110472/original/image-20160205-18274-5wc1ts.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/110472/original/image-20160205-18274-5wc1ts.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=533&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Council tax bands vs house prices, 2015 (Liverpool).</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Valuation Office Agency, HM Land Registry</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When you look at these maps, the absurdity of continuing to use bands set in 1991 is pretty obvious. Naturally, it raises the vexed question of what should be done. Well, we could re-value properties and introduce new bands, like <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/localgovernment/finandfunding/counciltax/banding/?lang=en">Wales did in 2005</a>. Or, <a href="http://localtaxcommission.scot/download-our-final-report/">as in Scotland</a>, we could pursue more radical change. There, <a href="https://theconversation.com/council-tax-reform-is-long-overdue-so-how-do-we-do-it-45534">ideas for reform include</a> property revaluation, a land value tax, and even a local income tax.</p>
<p>Personally, I would favour some form of land value tax, as proposed by leading economists such as <a href="http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/about-the-obr/who-we-are/kate-barker/">Dame Kate Barker</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/joesarling?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Joe Sarling</a>. But of course this brings its own set of challenges: for instance, unfairly taxing the Islington resident who had the good fortune to buy a house there in 1991, but who lives alone and never seeks to benefit from the value of the land or property. </p>
<p>At the very least, a widening of the bands at the top and bottom to reflect the growing gulf between the richest and poorest areas (and the residents’ ability to pay) would be a start. With detailed data on <a href="http://landregistry.data.gov.uk/app/ppd">house prices</a>, and the technology to crunch complex datasets, this should not be an insurmountable problem. The bigger issue is that, politically speaking, such reform is “<a href="https://next.ft.com/content/7da2852c-e3af-11e4-9a82-00144feab7de">dramatic and unpopular stuff</a>”.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/53991/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alasdair Rae does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Not only is council tax on the rise, it’s completely out of touch with reality.Alasdair Rae, Professor in Urban Studies and Planning, University of SheffieldLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.