LIB DEM AND LABOUR VOTE FOR COUNCIL TAX RISE

SNP FREEZE COUNCIL TAX - LABOUR AND LIB DEMS INCREASED IT BY 93% IN ABERDEENSHIRE

As the SNP puts forward a balanced budget for Scotland, Labour and the Lib Dems have voted to increase council tax in the Finance Committee.

During the last Labour/ Lib Dem administration Council Tax increased by 93% in Aberdeenshire.

The two parties voted against the SNP Government’s council tax freeze, and also voted with the Tories against plans to introduce a small levy on supermarkets to support public services and small businesses.

However no party produced alternative spending proposals or explained how they would replace the £30 million due to be collected from supermarkets.

SNP MSP for Gordon Alex Salmond said:

“John Swinney and the SNP have put forward a balanced budget for Scotland that spares our pensioners and families from council tax rises in order to help household budgets and redresses the balance for business with a small levy on supermarkets.

“During the last Labour/ Lib Dem administration they increased Council Tax by 93% in Aberdeenshire. Council Tax is an unfair and unjust tax and I am glad that the SNP Government is proposing this further relief. Already households in Gordon have saved at least £229 from freezing the Council Tax.

“The SNP’s council tax freeze has helped households across Scotland, whilst Labour, Lib Dem and Tory have increased VAT, increased fuel prices and even pushed up National Insurance.

“This budget shows the SNP is protecting families in Scotland from the worst of Lib Dem and Tory cuts - and is the only party firmly supporting Scottish households and small businesses, as well as investing in jobs and public services.

“The Scottish election in May will be a straight choice between an experienced SNP Government working together with the people of Scotland to make a better country or a Labour party who will impose more financial mismanagement on the people of Aberdeenshire.”