BREAKING NEWS: Strictly star faces backlash as he issues major Burham tax demand
The Strictly star called on Andy Burham to introduce a new council tax strategy.
The TV star appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year (Image: BBC)
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Tom Skinner sparked a huge backlash on social media as he addressed the newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burham on X with a fresh proposal. The businessman suggested the UK leader should introduce a “earn your council tax back scheme,” for resident across England. In his post, Tom clarified: “”It ain’t a benefit. It’s a chance for people to earn a few more quid each year while making their home towns better and nicer.” The 35-year-old then shared example of jobs people can do in their local areas to earn credits, which can be used towards the council tax bill every month.
These tasks included: “Picking litter, painting railings, cleaning graffiti, planting flowers, looking after parks, repairing potholes, helping elderly neighbours with shopping, volunteering at community events and organise walks.” Tom added: “Imagine a family getting back an extra £1200 a year just by spending a couple of hours here and there improving where they live.” However, his proposed scheme did not leave everyone impressed and one fumed: “Shouldn’t need a handout to take pride in your community and organise a few litter picks and paint jobs.”
Tom Skinner starred in the 2025 series of Strictly (Image: BBC)
A second fumed: “So the working class go out and work more to get their council tax discounted while the dossers do f**k all for their massive discount. The country is f**ked until we deal with the number of people reliant on the state.”
As another refused: “I’m most definitely not working more to get my tax back. Local government spends more on agencies and quangos than on repairs. Stop that and the money will be there.”
“Many of us already take part in community litterpicks and other volunteering without expecting payment,” added a fourth.
Despite the backlash, others agreed with the star including one who praised: “Good idea. I too have noticed the decline of the environment and have seen young people blatantly litter and damage things – if they are involved they may have pride. It gets them out too meeting people. Needs to be voluntary though with incentives.”
To our Prime Minister @andyburnham I have an idea i want to share with you!
The “Earn Your Council Tax Back” Scheme!
It ain’t a benefit. It’s a chance for people to earn a few more quid each year while making their home towns better and nicer.
Here is how I think it will…
— Thomas Skinner ⚒ (@iamtomskinner) July 30, 2026
Meanwhile Labour councillor Zander West explained: “Council Tax doesn’t just sit there unused Thomas, it goes to fund key services, we can’t just hand it back out to people for doing additional services that many councils already can’t afford to perform with the council tax they collect.”
During the past week, Burnham revealed that he’s considering a radical overhaul of council tax and stamp duty. He conceded that there are “big decisions” ahead as reports emerged of a new system being drawn up.
Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC’s Panorama programme, 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.”
