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

Alexander urges Scottish Government to devolve to councils

By Dan Peters | 14 November 2025

The Scottish Government must devolve funding and powers to local authorities to secure a ‘decent and prosperous’ nation, Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander...

FINANCE

Suffolk districts call for minister to intervene over county's reorganisation tactics

By Paul Marinko | 13 November 2025

Suffolk’s districts have urged ministers to take action against the county council for its tactics aimed at landing a single countywide unitary through reorg...

FINANCE

EXCLUSIVE: Late funding changes may cost metropolitan councils £121m

By Joe Lepper | 12 November 2025

Late changes to the fair funding review around deprivation and population are expected to cost metropolitan local authorities £121m, finance experts have sug...

FINANCE

Social care reform: Stopping profit extraction in services

By Rosie Maguire | 12 November 2025

Introducing a major report on UK social care, Rosie Maguire highlights how fairer commissioning and funding may already be within our reach.

Popular articles by William Eichler