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

How to be a successful council chief

By Frazer Thouard | 10 September 2025

In advance of The MJ’s Future Forum Midlands, recruitment specialist GatenbySanderson crunch the data in a bid to find the answer to achieving successful loc...

FINANCE

Ahead of the curve on health

By Mubasshir Ajaz | 08 September 2025

Mubasshir Ajaz explains how the West Midlands is leading the charge to put health at the heart of policy.

FINANCE

New politics, new tensions

By Rob Whiteman | 02 September 2025

As Reform UK gathers this week for its annual conference, Rob Whiteman argues that with the party gaining control of some councils, local government must sup...

FINANCE

After the 'asylum hotels' injunction

By Victoria Searle | 02 September 2025

As the pressures facing local authorities in housing vulnerable people are brought to life in the ‘asylum hotel’ legal case in Epping Forest, Victoria Searle...

Popular articles by William Eichler