Scot Lib Dems to lead debate on SNP proposals for biggest ever council tax rises

On Tuesday 19th September, Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie will lead a parliamentary debate highlighting SNP/Green plans for the biggest council tax hikes ever, with 1 in 4 Scottish households hit by additional council tax rises on top of any yearly increase.

A Scottish Government consultation on changes to council tax rates will conclude on Wednesday 20th September.  

Scottish Liberal Democrat analysis of the government’s proposals has previously revealed:

• 715,312 households will see council tax rises ranging from £124 to £835. Scotland currently has 2,562,357 chargeable dwellings. This means 28% of households will be hit by an additional council tax rise on top of any yearly increase.
• 354,197 households in Band E properties will see rises of between £124 and £150.
• 211,243 households in Band F will see rises of between £256 and £308.
• 135,840 households in Band G will see rises of between £432 and £519.
• 14,032 households in Band H will see rises of between £694 and £835.

Council tax bands are still based on valuations from 1991 or estimates based on what a property might have been worth for newer properties.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Willie Rennie said:

“It’s 16 years since the SNP solemnly promised in their manifesto to abolish and replace council tax.

“But after 16 years of consultations, working groups, of cross-party talks, think tanks and rhetoric the SNP Government have transformed from reformers to defenders of the unfair, discredited council tax.

“Now they are hiking it with the biggest rises ever, in the middle of a cost of living crisis.

“These tax hikes must be scrapped. The government should instead back Scottish Liberal Democrat plans that would deliver the power surge which councils need and end the underfunding of local government once and for all.”