PRO-UK PARTIES WANT TO INCREASE COUNCIL TAX ON SCOTS – BROWN 

Labour and Conservative MSP’s have recently voted against a Council Tax freeze in Scotland, despite recent polling showing a massive 69% of the Scottish public support the move proposed by the Scottish Government.  

 
On Tuesday 27th of February, this year’s Scottish Budget passed through its final stages in the Scottish Parliament before becoming law – with both Labour and Conservative MSPs voting against the budget that would guarantee a Council Tax Freeze for Scots during the next financial year.  

Though the Scottish Labour party ‘officially’ backs the policy, signs of dissent within the party are clear – with MSP’s raising concerns about the move in the debate on the budget before ultimately voting against it – while a video of Stephen McCabe, the Scottish Labour Councillor and leader of Inverclyde Council, said at a meeting on Thursday that he had told his party’s higher-ups that he would make the decisions on Council Tax, “not them”, has also emerged.  

Unionist-run Councils across Scotland are now coming out swinging in support of increasing Council Tax – with Lib Dem and Tory run Argyll and Bute Council introducing an increase of 10%, Labour run Inverclyde Council introducing an increase of 15% over the next two years, and the Labour group on Falkirk Council proposing an increase of 8%. 

As it stands, Council Tax bills in Scotland are on average the lowest in the UK – with the average Band D property bill coming in at £1,417 – around £600 lower than the average Band D Council Tax bill in England, which is £2,065.  

Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown has come out in support of the Scottish Government’s position, slamming the Labour and Conservative MSP’s who are seeking to tax Scots more than is already the case.  

Commenting, SNP MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Keith Brown, said: 

“The UK’s taxation system is not fit for purpose – the Tories have left the UK with the highest tax burden in living memory.” 

“The UK’s recent windfall tax on the companies that have profited from the Cost of Living crisis was the right thing to do, however the money it generated was largely used to fund a cut to National Insurance – which is calculated depending on your income, like income tax is – meaning that the wealthiest in society benefitted dramatically more from that tax cut than the poorest.” 

“That’s why, where we have the powers in Scotland, we have used them to make a positive difference, and lowered the tax burden for Scots who need it most – with 51% of Scots paying less income tax than they would if they lived elsewhere in the UK, and Council Tax Bills being on average the lowest in the UK – thanks again to the Council Tax Freeze.” 

“All of this comes alongside delivering the best performing and furthest reaching public services in the UK – meaning that Scots get the best deal of any taxpayers in these islands.” 

“Opinion polls show that there is huge support for the Council Tax Freeze, with 69% of Scots backing the move.” 

“Why opposition MSP’s have chosen to come out against this – while in Holyrood they criticise the SNP for asking people who earn an above-average salary in Scotland to pay a marginal amount more in income tax, while everyone else pays less – is beyond me.” 

“Where we have limited powers in Scotland, we are making better decisions for the Scottish Taxpayer – ensuring a progressive tax system which ensures the poorest in our society have a lower tax burden – rather than favouring the wealthy, as successive UK Governments of whatever colour so often do.” 

“This shows that the priority of Unionist parties is in playing politics, when the priority of the SNP is putting Scottish living standards first.” 

“Lowering the tax burden for Scots by freezing Council Tax is the right move, but we could do so much more with the full powers of independence.”