South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle has added his voice to the growing criticism of the Scottish Government’s plans for council tax increases of up to 22.5%
Brian’s criticism follows the launch of a consultation by the SNP government to increase council tax for everyone living in homes in Bands E-H. Band E would see an increase of 7.5%, rising to 12.5% in Band F, 17.5% in Band G and a massive 22.5% in Band H.
The Scottish Conservative MSP accused the Scottish Government of trying to push through big increases to cover up their own failures to properly fund councils or put forward a credible alternative for council tax.
In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis that’s already seeing residents deal with higher bills, Brian believes the plans will be a “slap in the face” for those already struggling to make ends meet.
Research by the Scottish Conservatives has shown that the average yearly increase for someone in a Band E home could be around £138 pounds, with Band F homes being asked to pay £286 more, then £482 in Band G and a massive £776 in Band H. With over 10,000 homes in Bands E and F in East Ayrshire alone, Brian is urging anyone who could be hit with this increase to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“These plans by the Scottish Government for eye-watering hikes in council tax are a slap in the face to residents at a time when so many other day-to-day costs are rising.
The reason why so many councils are in a financial hole is because the SNP have repeatedly failed to put proper funding in place or follow through on their promise to suggest a better alternative to council tax.
The SNP-Green government’s attempts to spin this as an exercise in fairness, only underlines just how little they understand the facts. I’d encourage anyone who could be affected to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation.
Having a home in a higher council tax band is no guarantee of being a high earner with cash to spare.
Council tax payers shouldn’t have to foot an even bigger bill to pay for the SNP-Green government’s inability to grow the economy and manage the public finances.”
