Council tax rises announced by local authorities

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Midlothian and Western Isles councils have become the first to announce a rise in the council tax following the Scottish Government's removed of the enforced freeze since 2007.

The nine year national freeze on the tax ends this year, with local authorities allowed to raise the bill by three per cent without losing Scottish Government funding.

Both Midlothian and Western Isles have opted to raise the charge by the full three per cent.

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Midlothian council leader, councillor Cath Johnstone said: “Given that we have been able to keep council tax levels frozen for so long, and despite the fact that those on the lowest incomes will be able to get help in meeting the costs, it was not an easy decision to increase charges.

“However the additional income will help us maintain community facilities, local services and our support to local groups.”

Edinburgh and Borders council are expected to announce a three per cent rise on Thursday.

As the result of a separate Scottish Government decision to reform the council tax to make it more redistributive, council taxpayers in bands E to H will also pay more from April 2017. 

Council tax typically counts for only 15 per cent of a council's income, with the majority coming from Scottish Government funding.