SNP COUNCIL TAX FREEZE OFFERS FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR LOCAL HOUSEHOLDS

Constituency MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, has said the SNP Government’s Council Tax freeze will provide financial relief to thousands of local households during tough times.

Last month, Scotland’s Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes, announced a £90 million fund to compensate local authorities who choose to scrap planned rises in Council Tax.

Now, Colin Beattie has called on the local council to make use of the fund and freeze their rates at current levels for the next year – which would mean that Midlothian Council would receive £1.66 million and East Lothian Council would receive £1.95 million of support.

Under the draft budget plans, a majority of taxpayers will also continue to pay less income tax than they would in the rest of the UK.

Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:

“We all know the financial impact that this global pandemic has had in Midlothian and East Lothian.

“So it’s great news that this SNP Government has sought to provide relief to households by supporting local authorities to freeze increases in Council Tax for the coming year.

“If Midlothian and East Lothian councils choose to do the right thing and freeze their rates, they will be fully-supported to the tune of £1.66 million for Midlothian Council and £1.95 million for East Lothian Council. It’s time they gave local residents that assurance.

“In these tough times, the SNP Government has proven that where Scotland has the powers, we will take a different approach to give Scots the fairest deal in the UK.”