Tories call for council tax freeze to stay in force

Published on Friday 1 October 2010 14:29

THE council tax freeze should be continued for "at least another year", the Tories have said.

Conservative finance spokesman Derek Brownlee argued that continuing with the freeze - which was brought in by the SNP administration - would help families who are "feeling the pinch" during difficult economic times.

Mr Brownlee's comments suggest the Tories could back the Scottish Government's Budget for 2011-12 if they can find the necessary cash to carry on with the policy.

However, there have been calls from others for ministers to consider whether the charge should continue to be frozen.

Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, has already warned there can "be no sacred cows".

Speaking in June, he said: "Everything must be on the table as we go forward, we need a sustainable method of funding local government."

The Independent Budget Review group - which was commissioned by the Scottish Government - also suggested in its report that the council tax freeze could perhaps be "discontinued", because it did not appear sustainable in the long term.

However, Mr Brownlee yesterday accused councils of calling for an increase in the charge as a "first option".

The Conservative MSP said: "There is pressure across the public sector and, of course, savings need to be made, but I think we should look at council tax rises as a last resort, not the first option.

"And my concern is that too many councils seem to be thinking that a council tax increase should be the first option."

He added that the freeze had been funded by the Scottish Government, saying: "Local authorities often don't tell you that they have been funded for the council tax freeze.

"In fact, they receive more money than strictly speaking they need to fund the council tax freeze."