Christina McKelvie MSP has today welcomed confirmation from Scottish Government Finance Secretary John Swinney that he will provide additional funding to local authorities in order to freeze council tax for the second year in a row.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament debate following his Ministerial statement on the Scottish government’s draft budget, Mr Swinney told MSPs:
“The point I would make is that without the Council Tax freeze at a time when many families and individuals are reducing their working hours, facing freezes in salary or even salary cuts, families and individuals would be struggling even more than they are.
“This is not the time to be increasing the Council Tax and there would have to be a significant increase to fill for Council resources not available for support from Government. I think to protect household income at a time when we all recognise household income is fragile is what would be expected of this Government.”
Central Scotland SNP MSP Ms McKelvie commented:
“I am very pleased that the Finance Secretary has found funding to continue the council tax freeze, despite the enormous pressure placed on the Scottish budget by the £500m worth of cuts imposed by Westminster.
“South Lanarkshire has suffered badly during this recession, with thousands of people losing their jobs over the past year. The last thing that hard-pressed households need just now is to have to find extra money to pay for what would otherwise be a substantial increase in their council tax.
“I really hope that when Parliament votes on this budget my MSP colleagues from all parties will come together to support a third council tax freeze and other essential measures to help people and communities get through these tough times.”