Council tax freeze ‘benefits leafy suburbs not poor’

2 May 2013

The Scotsman today reports on UNISON Scotland's new figures showing that the council tax freeze is costing public services dear...

Report by EDDIE BARNES

"THE council tax freeze is most beneficial for people in “leafy suburbs” and burdens hard-hit families with extra costs as local authorities “plug the gap” in their coffers by increasing charges for services, a new investigation has found.

"The report by the Unison union concludes that families in the most expensive homes are saving three times as much as those in the cheapest houses as 
a result of the freeze.

"It warns that Scotland’s 32 councils are searching for ways to boost their funding and so increasing the cost of rents, school meals and day centre costs. The union is now calling for a fresh debate to be had over the freeze, first put in place by the SNP government in 2007....." 

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See also the Scotsman's report on last week's report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation showing that the council tax freeze is damaging to low income families. 

Council tax freeze ‘worsens’ austerity for poor 

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