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'Council tax can be frozen'

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Published Date: 06 November 2008
COUNCILS are getting enough Scottish Government cash to be able to freeze the council tax next year, John Swinney claimed yesterday.
The finance secretary told the Holyrood local government committee he believed councils should continue to freeze the tax and they might also benefit financially from falling inflation.

Some councils claim higher fuel costs, rising unemployment and an unresolved pay dispute with staff have placed added burdens on councils, which will make it impossible for them not to raise council tax without extra money.

Councils had been allocated £70 million for last year's council tax freeze and Mr Swinney said the same figure would be made available for next year.

He added:

"We have to have an eye on financial pressures households will be experiencing."

Asked by Labour MSP Mary Mulligan if he thought it was the right time to be asking councils to freeze the tax, Mr Swinney said: "Yes, I do."



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1

democracy,

Scottish Borders 06/11/2008 05:02:52
Mr Swinney was asked by Labour MSP Mary Mulligan if he thought it was the right time to be asking councils to freeze the tax?

So, New Labour obviously think he should allow the councils to increase this levy on the cash strapped tax payer in these difficult times and to hell with the struggling low paid young families and pensioners!

My god! no wonder New Labour are losing support at a rate of knots!!
2

,

06/11/2008 06:43:27
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
3

The Tin Man,

06/11/2008 10:26:44
#2 sm

Well, Labour have over-all control of two councils, so it can't be them....
4

Brad,

Glasgow 06/11/2008 11:00:29
One of the two Labour-controlled Councils, Glasgow, has frozen Council tax for a number of years
5

57vintage,

Keith 06/11/2008 12:00:41
Freezing council tax is OK in principle and is a popular and populist soundbite, but in reality, the dilution, or in some cases destruction of vital services can result. I pay mine in Aberdeen and could afford a little more to help keep social services running at levels needed, but am prevented from doing so.
6

The Federalist (the poster formerly know as NAUON),

06/11/2008 14:52:01
A freeze is only possible if Council block grants are inflation-protected and include an increase to cope with any rise in statutory duties. Moreover, many councils will also need additional funding if they are to begin implementing Scottish government policies such as the Curriculm for Excellence.

I would not be surprised if there are other issues in trying to get the freeze next year - not just because councils don't get additional revenues beyond an inflation rise. Swinney himself may be limited in his own budgeting if he does not reach his 2% efficiency savings target this year. Failure to meet this target would result in other Scottish governemnt priorities being delayed or even abandoned in order to finance the freeze.
7

Arfur,

06/11/2008 17:52:49
#5 57vintage - you unionists really dont grasp this do you? Its a lot more complicated that this but here it is in its most basic form -

2007 - you pay £1,000 a year
2008 - council want to put this to £1,200 a year
- SNP use Scottish budget to pay the £200
- you pay £1,000 for the year

I.e. the council have their cash only you dont pay for it all so there is no need for cut backs.

I fail to understand how you guys cant get your head round this.

 

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