Opposition deny tax payers biggest tax cut in a generation

Glasgow SNP MSP Bill Kidd today welcomed the extension by the SNP Government of the council tax freeze to a full four years.

Finance Secretary John Swinney today confirmed that the SNP Government will support a council tax freeze in 2010/11 and 2011/12.

This means no council tax bill in Glasgow will need to increase under this SNP Government.

Mr Kidd also criticised Labour's £1 billion of cuts to Scotland's budget, cuts that will stop Scottish tax payers receiving the biggest tax cut in a generation and the unholy alliance of Labour and the Tories who have blocked SNP efforts to scrap the council tax.

Commenting Mr Kidd said: "Today's confirmation that Glasgow's council tax does not need to increase by one penny in the next three years is excellent news for taxpayers across the city.

"In 2011/12, the SNP Government have pledged to provide the resources to ensure that Glasgow's council tax payers will be paying no more than they did in 2007.

"If the previous Executive had been in power we would have seen council tax continue its steep climb upwards. In Glasgow council tax rose by a massive 51% over the period they were in power.

"If council tax had increased at the average annual rate it did under the previous Executive, average council tax payers in this could have been faced with paying an extra £261 by 2012. Now, under the SNP, they can enjoy that saving of £261.

"With opposition parties blocking moves to scrap the Council Tax – after it doubled under the Tories and Labour – the SNP freeze is helping hard pressed families during tough times.  Continuing the freeze for four full years will bring real benefit to Glasgow household budgets in these difficult economic times.

"An unholy alliance of Labour and the Tories has conspired to keep the council tax.

"If parliament will not reflect the desire of the people of Scotland to scrap the Council Tax, we will take the case for fair local tax to the people in 2011 – and the 'council tax cabal' will pay the price at the ballot box."