SNP Welcome Council Tax Freeze

"The people of Falkirk will welcome a freeze in their council tax bills" predicts Falkirk West MSP, Michael Matheson following the unanimous agreement reached by council leaders to approve the SNP government's budget proposals for Local Government.

For the first time in eight years local government's share of public expenditure has risen thus easing the way for a freeze on council tax bills across Scotland.

In a unique concordat signed by the both the government and the leaders of local government umbrella organisation, Cosla, council bosses agreed that the deal on offer which allocates an additional £70m to councils who agree to freeze their council tax was "the best possible settlement for local government".

In addition to extra grants for the freeze on the council tax bills for next year the government also agreed to allow councils to keep the money they save from efficiency measures and less ring fencing of resources from national government.

The deal was welcomed by Falkirk's two senior SNP figures, Michael Matheson, the MSP for Falkirk West and David Alexander, SNP Group Leader on Falkirk Council.

Said Michael Matheson,

"For years the previous Labour / Liberal Executive heaped new burdens onto local government without adequate funding knowing that this would rack up council tax bills way above inflation.

As a result of this policy the burden of council tax has become a heavy one which is why I welcome the recognition of the new SNP government that this could not continue and that we needed a partnership with local government.

Falkirk Council's share of the £70m will come in around £2m which is the equivalent of a 7% increase in council tax thus clearing the way for not only a freeze in bills but also a growth in services."

Mr Matheson went on to challenge MSP's of all other parties not to scupper the SNP budget for narrow political gain and also warned that if they did so they would pay a heavy price from hard pressed council taxpayers.

"There has been speculation in the press of a combined Labour, Tory and Liberal bid to scupper the budget just because they can.

I believe that if they did so the backlash from hard pressed council tax payers would be significant.

Over £500m of public money was wasted on the Edinburgh Tram project just because the Labour, Tory and Liberal whips wanted to inflict a defeat on the government. Had they not voted for this waste of money then there would have been plenty left for Universities, Housing, Police and the other areas of concern outlined by the opposition parties."

Similar words of warning were issued by SNP Group Leader, David Alexander who said,

"Under the Labour / Liberal Executive there was more stick than carrot. The new Labour / Tory coalition Administration in Falkirk Council must believe that Christmas has come early in the shape of a government prepared to pay them not to increase the council tax.

Of course the price is to implement the SNP's manifesto commitments and we will be working to ensure that happens in Falkirk Council.

That means cutting class sizes and extending nursery education. It means building council houses, something Labour has opposed for the last twenty years and it means giving local residents value for money."