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MSPs to vote on council tax increase for top bands MSPs to vote on council tax increase for top bands
(about 9 hours later)
MSPs are to vote on increasing the top four bands of council tax in Scotland.MSPs are to vote on increasing the top four bands of council tax in Scotland.
Members will consider the issue via a parliamentary bureau motion at the end of the day's business at Holyrood, after the increase was backed by the local government committee.Members will consider the issue via a parliamentary bureau motion at the end of the day's business at Holyrood, after the increase was backed by the local government committee.
The government wants some households to pay more to raise money for education.The government wants some households to pay more to raise money for education.
But opposition parties have questioned the Scottish government's approach, with some calling for more radical reforms to local taxation.But opposition parties have questioned the Scottish government's approach, with some calling for more radical reforms to local taxation.
The proposals would see increases in bands E to H, with the average band E household paying £2 per week more and those in the highest band about £10 a week more.The proposals would see increases in bands E to H, with the average band E household paying £2 per week more and those in the highest band about £10 a week more.
Parliament has to pass a piece of secondary legislation to change the bands, and the order will go before MSPs as a parliamentary bureau motion after Finance Secretary Derek Mackay persuaded the local government committee to support the move.Parliament has to pass a piece of secondary legislation to change the bands, and the order will go before MSPs as a parliamentary bureau motion after Finance Secretary Derek Mackay persuaded the local government committee to support the move.
The average annual increase in council tax as a result of the band adjustments would be;
Green MSP Andy Wightman has put forward an amendment accepting the changes, but noting that parliament "regrets" that the plans "undermine the principle of local accountability and autonomy and fail to address a number of issues".Green MSP Andy Wightman has put forward an amendment accepting the changes, but noting that parliament "regrets" that the plans "undermine the principle of local accountability and autonomy and fail to address a number of issues".
This means the increases are all but certain to be approved - but may include a rebuke for the government.This means the increases are all but certain to be approved - but may include a rebuke for the government.
Opposition members have repeatedly called for a different approach from the Scottish government, with many pointing to the findings of the Commission on Local Tax Reform.Opposition members have repeatedly called for a different approach from the Scottish government, with many pointing to the findings of the Commission on Local Tax Reform.
The minority SNP administration only escaped a defeat over local taxation in the chamber in September after Labour leader Kezia Dugdale's vote failed to register.The minority SNP administration only escaped a defeat over local taxation in the chamber in September after Labour leader Kezia Dugdale's vote failed to register.
The average annual increase in council tax as a result of the band adjustments would be: 'I will engage with others'
Mr Mackay told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme said the intention was to raise £100m more money for local government to spend "that they would not normally have".
He also made clear that he was willing to engage with opposition parties about wider changes to local taxation.
Mr Mackay said: "This is not the end of the story. I have said previously, and I will say again, I will engage with political parties - we are a minority government - to take forward further ideas around progressive, local taxation."
The Scottish Conservatives say that if council tax increases, the money raised should be spent by councils. Local government spokesman Graham Simpson said the SNP was "not only hitting hard working families with higher taxes but also ensuring that local people do not feel any direct benefit form the money raised."The Scottish Conservatives say that if council tax increases, the money raised should be spent by councils. Local government spokesman Graham Simpson said the SNP was "not only hitting hard working families with higher taxes but also ensuring that local people do not feel any direct benefit form the money raised."
Scottish Labour meanwhile said the government should "think again". Deputy leader Alex Rowley said: "The nationalists' proposals have not been bold enough, ambitious enough or frankly good enough."Scottish Labour meanwhile said the government should "think again". Deputy leader Alex Rowley said: "The nationalists' proposals have not been bold enough, ambitious enough or frankly good enough."
'Bury the council tax'
The Scottish Greens also back replacing the council tax, and are in favour of a revaluation of properties - the current system is based on house values dating back to 1991.The Scottish Greens also back replacing the council tax, and are in favour of a revaluation of properties - the current system is based on house values dating back to 1991.
And the Lib Dems said that "this week should be the week to bury the council tax, not raise it". MSP Mike Rumbles said the vote was "hugely significant", adding that "local taxation should be for local services".And the Lib Dems said that "this week should be the week to bury the council tax, not raise it". MSP Mike Rumbles said the vote was "hugely significant", adding that "local taxation should be for local services".
Mr Mackay insists the government's plans will lead to a "more progressive" and "fairer" system of local taxation.
He has also told MSPs that a "costly" revaluation could be a "shock" to many households, and argued that changes to bands were "not the end of the story in terms of local tax [reform]".