The Scottish Government should establish an independent commission to consider alternatives to council tax, a senior group of MSPs has urged.

In a report issued today, members of the Scottish Parliament's Local Government Committee have urged ministers to loosen current restrictions imposed on Scotland's 32 councils and give instead give them greater freedoms to raise money locally.

An independent commission should suggest proposals on council tax alternatives ahead of the next Scottish council elections due to be held in 2017, the Committee recommended.