Title

FINANCE

Union demands end to council tax freeze

GMB Scotland has demanded an end to the eight-year freeze on council tax.

GMB Scotland has demanded an end to the eight-year freeze on council tax.

The union, which will hold a protest outside the Scottish parliament next week, argues the council tax freeze erodes the tax base, leading to cuts to jobs and services in Scotland's least affluent areas.

GMB's action is a response to a new report showing that had council tax kept pace with inflation of 25.61% since 2007 the 32 local authorities in Scotland would be raising £484m in additional income in 2016/17.

The protests will coincide with the final reading of the Scottish Budget in Edinburgh and takes place at a time when Scotland's local authorities face severe cuts and job losses.

Gary Smith, secretary of GMB Scotland, told ministers to ‘take their heads out of the sand' when it comes to the impact of cuts.

He continued: ‘This erosion of the tax base only applies in Scotland and can only be remedied in Scotland. 

‘It is not right that wealthy Scottish households pay less council tax in real terms than eight years ago, leading to cuts to jobs and services in Scotland's least affluent areas.'

FINANCE

Greens propose council tax replacement

By Dan Peters | 14 April 2026

The Scottish Greens have proposed replacing the current council tax with a residential property tax that would be more proportional to property values.

FINANCE

Become's Personal Adviser Programme helps young people find their voice

14 April 2026

Co-designed with care-experienced young people, PAs and managers of Leaving Care teams, Become’s accredited Personal Adviser Development Programme makes youn...

FINANCE

Democracy delivers the mandate; development delivers the impact

By Matthew Hotten | 09 April 2026

Matthew Hotten looks ahead to local elections day and outlines how the next steps taken will shape the quality of governance in our places for years to come.

FINANCE

A steady erosion of support: thirteen years on from the localisation of Council Tax Support

By Rebecca McDonald | 08 April 2026

Broader budget pressures are making it increasingly difficult for councils to maintain support through Council Tax Reduction schemes, and places affected by ...

Popular articles by William Eichler