Tag Archive for Council Tax

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT & COSLA COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT MOVE WELCOMED IN DUNDEE

April 19, 2012 Council Group No comments

The Finance Convenor of Dundee City Council, SNP Councillor Willie Sawers, has welcomed an agreement between the Scottish Government and COSLA that will protect over 20,000 council tax payers in Dundee from the UK Government’s ending of Council Tax Benefit.

News of the agreement follows anxiety that the UK Government’s abolition of  Council Tax Benefit in April 2013 and 10% cuts to the successor budget will cause hardship for vulnerable and lower-paid people.

The Scottish Government and COSLA have now agreed to cover the £40 million cost of the cuts in 2013-14, with the Scottish Government providing £23 million and COSLA providing £17 million.

Welcoming the agreement, Councillor Sawers said: “Over 20,000 people in Dundee on the lowest incomes currently receive council tax benefit.

This includes the unemployed, pensioners, those who cannot work because of disability, carers and people who receive tax credits.

“It is great news that the Scottish Government and COSLA have agreed to step in and defend vulnerable people from Tory & Lib Dem Coalition cuts. 

“Dundee City Council and the Scottish Government will work together to protect people from the cuts implemented in the UK Government’s Welfare Reform Act and establish a national schedule of reductions to council tax, so that anyone currently receiving council tax benefit will not have to pay more council tax in the next financial year.

“The Scottish Government is looking after household budgets, with a council tax freeze planned till 2016, free prescriptions, concessionary travel, and our abolition of road tolls and tuition fees.

“It is right that we should continue to take action to protect the thousands of pensioners and families who would have been affected by the UK Government’s actions. Only through this decisive action by the Scottish Government and COSLA can vulnerable people in Scottish society be protected.”

New Poll Shows Tax Levels Are Central to Independence Question

December 2, 2010 Stewart Hosie MP No comments

Dundee MP Stewart Hosie today welcomed a new poll showing that 45% of Scots would favour an independent Scotland if the taxes were lower than at present, with only 35% against independence.

While this might seem an obvious statement – that voters would vote for lower taxes, it also shows how central the tax issue is to the question of Independence and reveals that relatively few are opposed to Independence on principle.

The most recent Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, which questions Scots about whether their attitudes to Independence would change depending on whether taxes would be higher or lower than at present, also found that if an independent Scotland were to keep household taxes the same 36% would support independence, almost neck and neck with the 38% who opposed it.

Mr Hosie said; “This new survey gets to the heart of the matter. Independence is not just some obscure political theory. It is about jobs and making people’s lives better. It is about the potential for economic growth and improving household incomes – and when that is realised, support for independence is galvanised.  We have known for a long time that many people who oppose Independence do so because they believe it will lead to higher taxes. It is probably the most-often used argument against Independence – and it is based on a myth.

“This survey shows that if taxes in an Independent Scotland were the same as now or lower, nearly half all Scots voters will back Independence.
“It is only with full financial responsibility and independence that Scots households will see the growth and support they need.

“People across Scotland believe the Scottish Parliament should have responsibility for the most important tax and welfare decisions there is clearly real support for the Scottish Parliament to have far more powers than the limited aims of the Scotland Bill which has been tabled by the Tory-led Coalition Government.

“While the Tories have designed it as a tax trap, the people of Scotland are clear they want the real financial powers of independence to boost the economy and help households.

“We know that had the provision of the Scotland Bill been in place since the start of devolution – which would leave 85 per cent of Scottish tax revenues in the hands of the Tory Treasury at Westminster – Scotland would have been £8 billion worse off instead of better, the equivalent of £1,600 for every man, woman and child.

“This new survey demonstrates beyond doubt that the Scottish people want far more than the modest provisions of the Scotland Bill and that with economic growth and responsibility, people across Scotland want the full powers of independence.”

Dundee Households Could be Among the Hardest Hit if Council Tax Freeze is Abandoned

October 4, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments
Council tax could increase by almost 20% if Labour’s plans to stop the SNP’s council tax freeze come into force says SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee, and households in Dundee could be among the hardest hit.

The SNP today released figures which show how much Labour would take from Scottish households if they applied the same cap in Scotland as they did earlier this year in England. In March this year, Gordon Brown’s Government announced a cap of 4.5%. Applying this over a four year Parliamentary term would see the average council tax increase by a cumulative total of 19.3%.

And families in Dundee face rises of up to £229 – the second highest in Scotland, if the freeze is abolished after May’s elections. 

The SNP published a reminder of council tax increases under Labour administrations from 1999 to 2007 demonstrating the Labour’s record in power with rises of over 60%. 

Commenting Mr FitzPatrick said: “These figures show how far Labour will go to make ordinary people pay for the mess they made of the economy.

“We all know the unfair council tax hits the poorest and pensioners hardest yet instead of helping people through the tough times Labour want them to pay for the tough times.

“If Labour is allowed to get away with this, as they did in England, households will see increases of around £200 in the coming years.

 “Under the SNP, Scottish households have had a well earned respite from this unfair tax with bills frozen for three years.  And we want to continue with that freeze. 

“The choice facing voters at the next election is between an SNP Government working hard to keep household bills down and to deliver an alternative to the cuts ahead and a Labour party that wants to make the public pay for their mistakes.”

Labour Challenged To Admit How Big Their Council Tax Increases Would Have Been

March 25, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

With Council Tax demand letters now arriving on doormats, many families will be seeing the benefit of the third consecutive year of the SNP Scottish Government’s Council Tax Freeze. This year Water Bills are at the same rate as last year too, meaning for most people there will be no increase to pay this year. This will be real help to households say the SNP.

But if Labour had had their way, householders would now be facing swingeing increases in their bills. Now Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick has challenged Labour politicians to admit the scale of the Council Tax bills which people would now be facing if Labour had had their way.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “Over recent weeks it has become apparent that Labour now support imposing higher taxes on the people of Scotland. By saying they oppose a council tax freeze they are supporting increasing the council tax on hard working families.

“The question they have to answer is how much they want to raise it by ?

“Over the 10 years they were in power they increased council tax across Scotland by a staggering 60%. Council Tax went up every year under Labour and in Dundee over the period of ten years 1996-2006 when Labour were in power by themselves or in coalition with Lib Dems, the Council Tax increased by 51%. That Labour are openly planning to do this again is astonishing.

“Since those Labour politicians in Scotland who are calling for higher council taxes are members of Iain Gray’s shadow cabinet it must follow that he supports this policy. Therefore he should say by how much he thinks council tax should increase?”

Notes:

On 10th March 2010 Labour’s deputy spokesperson on finance David Whitton tabled an amendment to a Parliamentary Motion attacking the Council Tax freeze.

It has been supported by Jackie Baillie, Frank McAveety, Rhona Brankin, Trish Godman, James Kelly, Helen Eadie, Des McNulty, Pauline McNeill, Mary Mulligan, Elaine Smith

http://www.parlamaid-alba.org/Apps2/business/motions/Default.aspx?motionid=18557

On 15th March 2010 Labour’s Labour housing spokesperson Johann Lamont issued a press release attacking the Council Tax freeze.

http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/140-million-local-housing-cuts-revealed

  On 17th March 2010 Labour’s education spokesman Des McNulty issued a statement attacking the Council Tax freeze.

Dundee Politicians’ Astonishment at Labour’s Property Tax Proposal

August 13, 2009 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick and Councillor Willie Sawers, SNP Finance Spokesperson on Dundee City Council today reacted with astonishment that Labour are apparently planning to re-introduce a property tax to replace the Council Tax.

According to reports in the Times newspaper, Labour is to revise the Burt Report proposal for a 1% tax on homeowners as a new form of property tax – although when the proposal came out in 2006, sources close to Labour’s then First Minister Jack McConnell responded to the proposal saying: ‘There is no way that Labour Ministers will support a 1% homes tax.’”

Now the party seem to be backtracking to adopt what the chief of COSLA, Labour Councillor Pat Watters described at the time as “the worst of all possibilities”.

Joe FitzPatrick said today: “Labour’s new tax would penalise homeowners and pensioners if it was ever introduced. It is frankly bizarre that they have rehashed this proposal which was ridiculed by Labour themselves three years ago. It shows that there is no new thinking going in within Scottish Labour.

“Pensioners and homeowners across Scotland will be horrified by this plan.

“If these plans were ever to be implemented we would see pensioners facing enormous bills. Scotland’s pensioners have worked hard to pay for their homes, why should they be penalised for changes in the property market.

“And any homeowner will want to make improvements to their property. Why should homeowners be penalised for improving property they own?

“To penalise people who make their homes more energy efficient would be utterly wrong at a time when we are working to improve our housing stock and tackle climate change.

Councillor Sawers, SNP Finance Spokesperson on Dundee City Council said: “It seems Labour are so desperate to show they have a policy they’ve picked the first one they could find – even it will damage Scottish households.

“As for revaluation, proposed by Labour in Glasgow – everyone knows that means tax rises. When properties were revalued in Cardiff 64% of people saw their council tax bills rocket.

“The SNP Scottish Government has delivered a council tax freeze for all Scottish households, helping them through the recession and we will scrap the unfair council tax and introduce fair taxation based on ability to pay.”

IAIN GRAY’S ALTERNATIVE TO COUNCIL TAX IS … COUNCIL TAX

March 5, 2009 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

ATTACKS HIMSELF FOR VOTING FOR SNP BUDGET

Commenting on Iain Gray’s speech to COSLA where he revealed Labour’s alternative to the Council Tax would be Council Tax and he attacked the SNP budget he voted for SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee – said:

“Iain Gray has just pinned himself in to supporting a continuation of the Council Tax. The basic principle of taxation should be based on the ability to pay not the homes people live in. Renaming and rebranding council tax will just be laughable.

“Under Labour the unfair Council Tax increased by over 60%. It is bizarre that he thinks people will support a continuation of Labour’s tax on people’s homes.

“As real council tax rises south of the border show Council Tax has continued to increase under Labour whilst the SNP has delivered a freeze. That stands as an example of how things could have been if Labour were still in power in Scotland.

“Labour’s lack of answers when it comes to helping people in these hard economic times is just exemplified by Iain Gray’s unimaginative attempts to keep a Council Tax.

“Thankfully we have an SNP Government delivering another council tax freeze for the people of Scotland and committed to freezing council tax for the next two years as well. A freeze that will help them keep more of their own money in these uncertain economic times.

“Equally bizarre is his attack on the SNP budget – which he voted for. Perhaps he can explain why he is attacking himself for supporting that budget.”

COUNCIL TAX INCREASES UNDER LABOUR WHILST FROZEN IN SCOTLAND

February 28, 2009 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Commenting on today’s news that council tax south of the border will increase by an average of 3% compared to Scotland where it is frozen SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee – pointed to the difference as an example of how the SNP Government is delivering for Scotland whilst Labour’s government fails south of the border.

The figures for south of the border were revealed in a survey of councils in England by the Local Government Association.

Commenting Mr FitzPatrick said:

“This survey highlights Labour’s lack of answers when it comes to helping people in these hard economic times. It also stands as an example of how things could have been if Labour were still in power in Scotland.

“Thankfully we have an SNP Government delivering another council tax freeze for the people of Scotland and to freezing council tax for the next two years as well. A freeze that will help them keep more of their own money in these uncertain economic times .

“Since the SNP came in to Government we have seen council tax frozen after years of increases under Labour. News that it continues to rise south of the border show s a Labour government failing to meet the needs of people south of the border.

“This survey just shows the benefits voting SNP has brought to people in Scotland and that Labour is out of touch.”

SNP GUARANTEE 4 YEAR COUNCIL TAX FREEZE

February 11, 2009 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

LONDON LABOUR CUTS BLOCK FAIR TAXATION

SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick today welcomed the extension of the council tax freeze to a full four years.

John Swinney today confirmed that the SNP Government will support a council tax freeze in 2010/11 and 2011/12.

No council tax bill will need to increase under this SNP Government.

Joe FitzPatrick also condemned Labour’s £1 billion of cuts to Scotland’s budget, cuts that will stop Scottish tax payers receiving the biggest tax cut in a generation and the unholy alliance of Labour and the Tories who have blocked SNP efforts to scrap the council tax.

Mr FitzPatrick said:

“Today’s confirmation that council tax will not increase by one penny in the next three years is excellent news for taxpayers across Scotland.

“In 2011/12, the SNP Government will provide the resources to ensure that Scotland’s council tax payers will be paying no more than they did in 2007.

“With opposition parties blocking moves to scrap the Council Tax – after it doubled under the Tories and Labour – the SNP freeze is helping hard pressed families during tough times. Continuing the freeze for four full years will bring real benefit to household budgets.

“An unholy alliance of Labour and the Tories has conspired to keep the council tax.

“If parliament will not reflect the desire of the people of Scotland to scrap the Council Tax, we will take the case for fair local tax to the people in 2011 – and the ‘council tax cabal’ will pay the price at the ballot box.”

ENGLISH TAX RISE HIGHLIGHTS COUNCIL TAX FREEZE

January 20, 2009 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

The value of the SNP’s council tax freeze has been highlighted today after a new survey showed that councils in England will raise council tax by 3.5 – 4%.

The above inflation increase is a stark contrast to the fully funded council tax freeze being offered by the SNP Government for the second year in a row.

SNP MSP for Dundee West Joe FitzPatrick said:

“These rises in England show how important the SNP Government’s offer of a council tax freeze is.

“For the second year in a row the SNP is helping households across Scotland keep their bills down and make it through the tough times ahead.

“The increases in council tax in England are a stark reminder of the decade of council tax rises suffered under Labour and a reminder of why the unfair council tax must be scrapped.

“The Scottish Government is putting in £70 million to fund this tax freeze.

“Alongside further reductions in prescription charges and slashing business rates to zero for 120,000 businesses the SNP is working hard to put money in people’s pockets.

“With increased investment announced in hospitals, dental centres, transport and enterprise projects and affordable housing to maintain jobs in construction and a budget that targets economic growth the SNP is taking action to ensure Scotland can weather the economic downturn.”

ACTION TO SCRAP COUNCIL TAX BACKED

November 24, 2008 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

LABOUR FAIL TO SUBMIT ANY ALTERNATIVE TO CONSULTATION – “NO IDEA, NO POLICY, NO CREDIBILITY”

SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick today welcomed the results of the Scottish Government’s consultation to scrap the unfair council tax with over half of all individual respondents supporting the SNP’s proposals for a Local Income Tax as fairer than the Council Tax.

The consultation responses also support the retention of council tax benefit monies in Scotland, and show the failure of Labour to put forward any suggestions on one of the dominant issues in Scottish politics.

Dundee West MSP and member of the Scottish Parliament’s finance committee Joe Fitzpatrick;
“The SNP is committed to scrapping the unfair council tax – a position which carries majority support in the Scottish Parliament – and replacing it with a fair local income tax based on the ability to pay.

“This consultation shows people and organisations across Scotland support the SNP’s plans to make local taxation fairer.

“The SNP’s proposals have won strong backing with the majority agreeing that council tax benefit money should be retained in Scotland not put back in the pocket of the treasury.

“The astonishing thing about this consultation is the absolute failure of the Labour Party to offer up an alternative. Only yesterday, Andy Kerr attacked the Tories for failing to offer any ideas to the Calman Commission on tax powers for the Scottish Parliament. He said that it was ‘not credible not to submit any view whatsoever on what is one of the biggest questions in Scottish politics’ (Sunday Times, 23 November). Yet on the major issue of local taxation to fund local services, Labour have no idea, no policy, no credibility, and made no submission.

“As a leadership candidate Andy Kerr said he would immediately signal a desire to replace the council tax whilst Iain Gray said he would “replace or reform” council tax – three months on Labour’s leader and Labour’s finance spokesperson have offered nothing.

“Labour’s credibility on the council tax abolition is in tatters. Their new leader has admitted their old proposals were made “on the back of a fag packet”. Now they don’t even have that.

“The Council tax is unfair and unpopular. This consultation shows there is real support for scrapping the council tax and introducing a local income tax based on ability to pay. It is now for parties across Parliament to see sense and support scrapping the council tax.”

« Older Entries  

Switch to our mobile site