Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP for Lothian, is challenging Edinburgh’s SNP Councillors to stand up for Edinburgh’s council taxpayers and oppose the Scottish Government’s council tax reforms. Under the Scottish Government proposals, council tax will rise for the 37.7% of city households who live in band E-H homes, compared to a national average of 26.5%. In addition, Edinburgh will have to hand over the extra £15.6 million raised- the highest amount of any local authority in Scotland- to the Scottish Government which will be spent on education services across the country.
Speaking today Miles said: “The Scottish Government’s council tax plans are a double whammy for Edinburgh which will hit a huge number of council taxpayers hard.
“Many residents living in bands E and F properties- often finding themselves in these bands due to the city’s comparatively high property values- are far from wealthy and the council tax rises will put extra pressure on family budgets.
“Then on top of these rises the extra money raised by council taxpayers in Edinburgh will be taken by the Scottish Government for distribution across Scotland so Edinburgh will lose out significantly. This will seem deeply unfair to many Edinburgh residents.
“I am calling on SNP Councillors to take a public stance against their government’s flawed proposals which are harmful for Edinburgh. SNP Councillors should represent the views of the people in Edinburgh who elected them and challenge their government to rethink these damaging proposals.
“If they don’t, local residents across the city will have the opportunity in next May’s council elections to pass judgement on a policy which will see vital Edinburgh council taxpayers’ money distributed away from our city.”
