Urgent council tax warning as households face huge hike – check if you’re affected

A QUALITY of Scottish households face huge council tax hikes – as one SNP minister admits many are “struggled”.

The Scottish government has confirmed the proposals would see an increase of up to 22.5%.

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All homes in tax groups E, F, G and H will increase. Public finance minister Tom Arthur said: “The changes will only affect about a quarter of assets.

“Average council tax in Scotland will still be lower than anywhere else in the UK.

“We know a lot of people are struggling financially and our council tax relief plan is to make sure no one has to pay a council tax bill they can’t afford.”

But Scotland’s Tory finance spokesman, Liz Smith, said: “These sensational proposals will terrify those who are already struggling to cope. People across Scotland should not shoulder the burden of filling councils’ financial black holes.”

The plans will see H-band rates increase by 22.5%, G-bands by 17.5%, F-bands by 12.5%, and E-bands by 7.5%. But the Scottish Trades Union Congress warned the plan “won’t cut it” and insisted a radical overhaul was needed.

“This is a short-term solution,” said Secretary General Roz Foyer. We have to look at assessing wholesale property prices, replacing council tax in addition to introducing property and property taxes.”

Katie Hagmann, of the Cosla council group, said: “A fairer and more progressive council tax is what the proposals are about.”

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