New figures from the House of Commons Library show Scotland has had the lowest council tax for 16 years under an SNP government, when compared with England and Wales.

Whilst the average amount of council tax in Scotland has decreased by -7.1% (around £101) in real terms since the SNP came to power, in Labour run-Wales it has increased in real terms by 31.6% (around £445). In England under successive Tory and Labour governments, it has slightly increased.

Council tax is also cheaper in every Band (A-H) in Scotland, when compared with England and Wales, and will likely remain so given the Council Tax freeze the SNP Scottish Government has recently announced, which has not been replicated elsewhere in the UK.

The figures come after reports revealed the Labour Party’s ‘shocking’ plans to raise council tax by 32% in East Lothian, which has been stopped in its tracks by the SNP’s council tax freeze.

Commenting, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“These figures show that only the SNP can be trusted to support people during this Tory-made cost of living crisis.

“Whilst the average amount of council tax in Scotland has decreased since the SNP came to power, in Labour-run Wales it has gone up by hundreds of pounds, and in England, the Tories have done nothing to try to bring it down.

“On top of this, it has been revealed that Labour were planning to hike council tax by hundreds of pounds for residents in East Lothian before the SNP brought in the council tax freeze, showing just how out-of-touch Keir Starmer’s party are.

“Whilst Labour and the Tories support damaging policies like Brexit, NHS privatisation and welfare cuts the, SNP Scottish Government is saving families thousands of pounds through the council tax freeze, Scottish Child Payment and other policies that are helping to keep money in people’s pockets.”