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| Council tax bills 'rise by half' | Council tax bills 'rise by half' |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Council tax bills in Scotland have risen by 51% in the last 10 years, new research has shown. | Council tax bills in Scotland have risen by 51% in the last 10 years, new research has shown. |
| The largest increase was in Shetland, where the average charge rose by 118% over the period. | The largest increase was in Shetland, where the average charge rose by 118% over the period. |
| West Dunbartonshire saw the smallest increase in the UK, with average bills rising by only 21% since 1997. | West Dunbartonshire saw the smallest increase in the UK, with average bills rising by only 21% since 1997. |
| A decade ago council tax bills in Scotland averaged £651 per household, while the average charge this year was £980. | A decade ago council tax bills in Scotland averaged £651 per household, while the average charge this year was £980. |
| The Bank of Scotland survey found Scottish council tax bills were 9% lower than the British average of £1,078. | The Bank of Scotland survey found Scottish council tax bills were 9% lower than the British average of £1,078. |
| Average council tax bills have risen by 111% in Wales between 1997-98 and 2007-08 and by 95% in England. | Average council tax bills have risen by 111% in Wales between 1997-98 and 2007-08 and by 95% in England. |
| BIGGEST INCREASES Shetland 118%Orkney 103%Aberdeenshire 87%Borders 84%Moray 75%Aberden City 72%Western Isles 70%Highland 68%East Renfrewshire 67%Falkirk 66% | |
| Martin Ellis, chief economist with the Bank of Scotland, said council tax bills in Scotland had increased significantly faster than retail prices over the past 10 years. | Martin Ellis, chief economist with the Bank of Scotland, said council tax bills in Scotland had increased significantly faster than retail prices over the past 10 years. |
| He added: "However, growth rates in council tax bills over the past decade have been slower than those in both England and Wales. | He added: "However, growth rates in council tax bills over the past decade have been slower than those in both England and Wales. |
| "The smaller increases in Scotland mean there are now no Scottish billing authorities in the top 30 areas in Britain with the highest average council tax charges. | "The smaller increases in Scotland mean there are now no Scottish billing authorities in the top 30 areas in Britain with the highest average council tax charges. |
| "By contrast more than one quarter of the 30 areas with the highest charges in Britain a decade ago were in Scotland." | "By contrast more than one quarter of the 30 areas with the highest charges in Britain a decade ago were in Scotland." |
| Residents in East Renfrewshire had the highest council tax bills, with an average charge of £1,247, while residents in the Western Isles had the lowest charge, with bills there averaging £735. | Residents in East Renfrewshire had the highest council tax bills, with an average charge of £1,247, while residents in the Western Isles had the lowest charge, with bills there averaging £735. |
| Those living in Richmond upon Thames had the highest average bills in Britain, with charges there averaging £1,665, while the lowest bills were found in Wandsworth, where the average charge was £641. | Those living in Richmond upon Thames had the highest average bills in Britain, with charges there averaging £1,665, while the lowest bills were found in Wandsworth, where the average charge was £641. |