With the Scottish freeze on council tax rates ending in April, local authorities across Scotland are introducing increases to council tax in their new budgets.
Factors including rising service costs, a growing population, as well as educational and social care pressures are prompting these increases.
On 18 February, East Lothian became the first council in Scotland to increase council tax rates, settling on a 10 per cent increase. On 20 February, the City of Edinburgh Council announced an 8 per cent increase of their council tax.
This trend is not unique to the Edinburgh area, as councils throughout Scotland are announcing similar increases.
In Glasgow, council fees will rise by 7.5 per cent in April, meaning that the average household will now pay more than £2,000 per year.
Across Scotland, those living in the lowest band of housing will be required to pay at least hundreds of pounds more towards their local councils.
Although some budgets are yet to be confirmed, council areas have previously mentioned the need for substantial double-digit percentage increases.
Dundee, who announced an 8 per cent increase, would require a 29 per cent rise in council tax incomes to balance their budget. Angus instituted an 11 per cent increase.
Factors such as inflation and increases in employment costs are partly motivating these increases by consolidating budget deficits.
The City of Edinburgh, for instance, is expected to reach a deficit of £29.9m in 2025/26.
A report by Best Value found that the City of Edinburgh Council’s rate increase was above the figure required to be in line with inflation, meaning it will be able to allocate more funding to improving roads, pavement, social and healthcare, and local parks.
The City of Edinburgh Council have promised to extend 5 primary and high schools, and to spend up to £66m on local healthcare facilities. They will also introduce changes to road safety, as well as improvements to public transportation.
While these council tax increases across Scotland are likely to cause frustration, they will undoubtedly increase local councils’ abilities to improve local infrastructure and services.
Image by Yury Aleksanyan