Council tax

As the House of Commons debates calls for the UK Government to follow the Scottish Government by introducing a council tax freeze in England, Labour and the LibDems showed themselves to be in a confused position whilst the Tories played catch up by seeing sense in putting more money back in people's pockets in difficult economic times.

The SNP have rounded on Labour hypocrisy over the council tax freeze.

The SNP has condemnded Labour plans to increase taxes on pensioners and homeowners.

Reports in the Herald newspaper suggest Glasgow’s Labour Council, led by Stephen Purcell, are planning a council tax increase of over £150 for Glasgow householders – with a revaluation of council tax bands.

The SNP is the only party committed to a council tax freeze, as Labour reveal plans to increase council tax bills.

Commenting on confirmation that council tax in England will increase by an average of 3% compared to Scotland where it is frozen, SNP MP for Glasgow East, John Mason, pointed to the difference as an example of how the SNP Government is delivering for Scotland whilst Labour fails south of the border.

Labour's candidate in the Glenrothes by-election has described the SNP Government's council tax freeze as a "creditable" policy thus highlighting splits and disarray in the Labour campaign.

The SNP in Fife today announced plans to freeze the Council Tax to 2011.

Commenting on remarks made by the Scottish Labour leader offering no alternative to the unfair council tax, SNP MSP Alex Neil said it was time for Labour to end their dither on an alternative.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame today welcomed the case made by Henry McLeish for Scotland to retain council tax benefit. Papers released under the Freedom of Information Act showed a dispute between the former First Minister and Alisdair Darling.