Council Tax Freeze Continues

30th December 2011

Finance Secretary John Swinney has welcomed confirmation that all councils in Scotland have agreed to freeze the council tax for another year.

All 32 councils have confirmed, in principle, to accept the Scottish Government's funding offer for next year which also maintains maintain police and teacher numbers.

That means a household in the average council tax band will have saved over £500 by the end of 2012-2013 as a result of the council tax freeze since 2007-2008.

As a percentage of income, households with the lowest income gain the most from the council tax freeze.

Mr Swinney said:"We work closely with local government to deliver better outcomes for people and communities across Scotland.

"Despite the most dramatic reduction in public spending ever imposed on Scotland by the UK Government, over the next three years, local government will receive a larger share of Scottish Government funds than in 2007-08.

"Like the Scottish Government, councils face a number of competing pressures on their budgets, so I am delighted the package I offered to local authorities has been accepted in principle by every council. This will see the council tax freeze continue for another year, putting over £500 into the pockets of hard pressed households since 2008, while maintaining teacher numbers and the number of police officers on our streets - benefitting every household in Scotland."