Scottish Government may slash water discount for single people

The Scottish Government has insisted it has no plans to scrap the discount single people receive on council tax '“ but it refused to rule out changes to a similar discount scheme for water charges.

The discount on water charges for single people in Scotland may be reduced dramatically. Picture: Franck Fife/Getty Images

Public finance minister Kate Forbes said there would be “further research” and consultation before a decision is made on the matter.

Those who live alone can get 25 per cent off both their council tax and water charges under the existing system.

But a Scottish Government consultation last year raised the prospect of the discount for water charges being cut to 10 per cent.

Asked if ministers plan to change reduced council tax payments for those living alone, Ms Forbes was clear: “The Scottish Government has no plans to review the single person discount for council tax.”

But she said the discount for water charges is “something quite different”.

Labour’s Jackie Baillie called on the Government to “rule out any cuts to the single person’s water discount”.

She said: “Given these two benefits operate in the same way, the legitimate concern is that the Scottish Government proposal to remove water discounts is the thin end of the wedge and council tax discounts for single people are next.”

Ms Forbes said: “The Scottish Government has no plans to review the single person discount for council tax.

“However in relation to water tax, which is something quite different, we have consulted on amending the present single person discount for water charges. That consultation closed on 28 September 2018.

“A summary of responses were published on 19 December 2018 and having listened to feedback from customers we intend to undertake further research, further consultation and further engagement before making any decisions on whether to amend the existing discount.”