Glasgow City Council increases council tax by almost 5%

Two of Scotland's biggest councils have voted to raise council tax by almost 5%.

Edinburgh's SNP-Labour coalition motion passed to bring in hikes of 4.79%, while Glasgow's SNP-administration saw its budget approved containing a rise of 4.64%.

Local authorities across Scotland can raise council tax by up to 4.84% this year.

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: “Our budget proposals protect and, wherever possible, invest in the city's priorities - from our environment to education, community empowerment and participatory budgeting.

“We are also making sure Glasgow is ready to hit the ground running in meeting the climate challenge facing every community across the country and across the world.”

The measures were said to be brought in amid “challenging circumstances” to prioritise frontline services and ensure the city is ready to respond to the climate emergency.

Delays to the announcement of the UK budget has seen the Scottish Government issue a one-year revenue and capital budget, rather than the usual three-year.

It leaves some potential for council budget changes to emerge both as the draft budget progresses through Holyrood and once the Chancellor confirms details of his on March 11.

Scotland's 32 local authorities will be agreeing their budgets over the coming weeks, ahead of the new financial year on April 1.

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