UNISON response to Scottish Government council tax announcement

Dave Watson, UNISON head of policy and public affairs said, ‘UNISON welcomes any progress on the council tax freeze. However after 8 years we had expected more than tinkering with the present system. This will not ensure that local government is properly funded, nor will it ensure a fair funding for local government. Scotland needs a fundamental review local tax funding for local services and a fairer local tax for Scotland. UNISON welcomes the end to council tax freeze next year. However we are totally opposed to the 3% cap. Scotland’s councils need to be given back democratic control of their local services.They are democratically accountable to local people and know the needs of people living in their local areas. Delaying the end of the council tax freeze to next year ensures that the thousands of job losses and £500 million cuts will go ahead this year meaning further damage to our local services and economy. The 8 year council tax freeze has meant £3.15 billion has been cut from local services and 40,000 jobs have been cut from local government. This has had a devastating effect on local services and our economy.’