LABOUR QUESTIONED ON PLAN TO INCREASE COUNCIL TAX

LABOUR QUESTIONED ON PLAN TO INCREASE COUNCIL TAX

LABOUR RAISED COUNCIL TAX 60% OVER 10 YEARS

SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick - a member of the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee - has called on Labour’s Holyrood leader, Iain Gray, to reply to a letter asking him how much Labour thinks the Council Tax should increase by since Labour politicians have attacked the Council Tax freeze.

Commenting Mr FitzPatrick said:

“Over recent months it has become apparent that Labour now support re-imposing higher taxes on the people of Scotland. Only yesterday we heard even more Labour MSPs attack this essential measure to support families .

“With Labour MSPs opposi ng a council tax freeze they must be honest and say how much they plan to increase council tax by. The SNP has fully funded councils through the freeze and will continue to do so, but Labour want the public to pay higher bills.

“I asked Iain Gray in late March what his plans were and he has had ample time to reply. Why is avoiding this fundamental question?

“Over the 10 years they were in power they increased council tax by a staggering 60%. That Labour are openly planning to do this again is astonishing when people are already struggling to make ends meet because of Labour's recession."