The SNP today challenged Iain Gray and Andy Kerr to say if they would support moves by Glasgow City Council to reject the generous offer of funding from the SNP government and to increase council tax instead.

The Scottish Government budget this week limited the reduction in local government finance to 2.6% instead of the more than 6% that could have been applied in return for a council tax freeze, maintaining police numbers and ensuring job opportunities for newly qualified teachers.

Asked on BBC’s Politics show if he would support Labour Glasgow City Council if it decided to reject the deal and raise council tax Labour’s Finance spokesman Andy Kerr backed the council saying he believed Glasgow should “make their own decision.

SNP MSP for Glasgow and Deputy Convener of the Scottish Parliament's Local Government Committee Bob Doris said: “The SNP has put forward a good deal for local authorities and communities with funding to protect services, continue the council tax and meet the public priorities of jobs for new teachers and 1000 additional police on our streets.

"Labour need to be clear if they are going to reject the deal which of these policies do they oppose and how much will they increase council tax by.

“Andy Kerr and Glasgow’s Labour council are clearly itching to push up the unfair council tax.  Pensioners, the low paid and families across the city could see Labour’s favourite tax increase by up to 18% if Labour reject the millions of pounds being put forward by the SNP Government.

“At a time when all politicians should be putting family budgets, jobs and public services first Labour are trying to play power politics with Scotland’s largest city.  Labour’s behaviour is simply irresponsible.

“Glasgow deserves local leadership that puts the priorities of its people first not one that thinks it’s job is simply to disagree with the SNP.

“I believe people in Glasgow want to see the jobs for young teachers, the police on the street and the relief of a council tax freeze that the SNP Government is proposing.  I find it incredible that Gordon Matheson, Andy Kerr and Iain Gray are willing to play party politics with what are key policies that will protect services, help hard pressed households and make Scotland better."