Delivering for Scotland when people need it the most
Under an SNP Scottish Government, council tax bills in Scotland are already hundreds of pounds lower than those in England, making a real difference to the lives of people across Scotland.
In addition, your SNP Scottish Government is prioritising families during the cost-of-living crisis by freezing council tax for all households next year and providing support to people through these challenging times.
In contrast, Westminster is implementing damaging policies, including a hard Brexit, the two-child limit and further increasing the cap on energy prices, hurting people, businesses and punishing children across Scotland.
The SNP’s council tax freeze will help millions of families across Scotland who have seen their household budgets hammered by the Westminster cost-of-living crisis.
Meanwhile, amid these challenges, the UK government will increase the energy price cap by 5% from the current £1,834 to £1,928 for a typical dual fuel household in Scotland in January – even more austerity is the last thing our families and businesses need during this time.
Labour are out of touch with hard-pressed families
It’s not surprising that Labour is inconsistent in supporting the Scottish Government’s commitment to freeze council tax next year with all of the appalling flip-flopping and u-turning Labour has done already this year.
Initially, a Labour finance spokesperson expressed support for the SNP’s council tax freeze. However, during a COSLA meeting, Labour opposed the SNP’s council tax freeze in substance by voting against it.
A Labour-led council in East Lothian wants to propose a 32% increase in council tax, potentially costing local residents up to £1,126 more.
Labour’s lack of sincerity to help families during this time of financial struggle is disconcerting, and their inclination to raise council tax so drastically, reflects a concerning disregard for hard-pressed people and families.
Fortunately, the council tax freeze next year will avert Labour’s significant council tax hikes in East Lothian. As people are experiencing one of the most challenging times of this decade, a hefty council tax increase is the last thing households and businesses need.
Scotland has the lowest council tax for every band in the UK
Scotland has had the lowest council tax for 16 years under an SNP government, when compared with England and Wales.
Whilst the average amount of council tax in Scotland has decreased on average by £101 since the SNP came to power, in Labour run-Wales council tax has increased on average by around £445.
Moreover, the council tax freeze has not been replicated elsewhere in the UK and will provide relief to millions of households across Scotland. Public services across the UK are facing budget pressures as a result of Westminster austerity.
The SNP Scottish Government understands the financial challenges confronting councils, for example, exacerbated by Westminster’s mishandling of energy bills, resulting in a steep increase in energy bills that is felt right across our country.
Moreover, the constraints imposed on Scotland’s finances by Westminster further compound the difficulties confronting councils. That’s why the council tax freeze next year will be fully funded, ensuring that councils can continue providing the essential services we all depend on.
Additionally, the Scottish Government has increased the resources available to councils by more than £793 million, a real-terms increase of £376 million compared to last years budget.
In tough financial times, the SNP in government has sought to provide relief to households by freezing increases in council tax – that’s the SNP delivering for people when they need it the most.
The constraints of being tied to Westminster are hindering Scotland’s ability to reach its full potential and only as an independent Scotland, with full powers, can we enhance our public services, better support our businesses, and provide even greater protection and support for families and businesses.
The council tax freeze next year will bring much needed financial relief to those households who are struggling in the face of rising prices. Council tax is already lower in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK, and some 2.5 million households will now benefit from this freeze.
HUMZA YOUSAF
