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

Quango conundrum

By Ann McGauran | 27 August 2026

Rewiring the State promises a serious look at whether arm’s-length bodies’ powers and funding should be handed to local leaders or returned to ministerial d...

FINANCE

Turbocharging inclusive growth's latest mission

By Ben Lucas | 25 August 2026

Ben Lucas looks at how the Government’s devolution drive will affect efforts to achieve good growth.

FINANCE

Unions accept 3.3% pay offer

By Neil Merrick | 25 August 2026

Widespread strike action in local government appears to have been averted after two of the three unions representing council employees accepted a 3.3% pay rise.

FINANCE

Nobody ever voted for a map

By Ben Page | 17 August 2026

Rewiring the State offers the most significant shift in local government for a generation, but there is still a lot that has been left unwritten, says Ben Page.

Popular articles by William Eichler