Councils praised over tax freeze

Council tax bills across the country have been frozen

Finance Secretary John Swinney has praised councils across the country for freezing council tax bills.

Mr Swinney was speaking at the annual conference of the local government umbrella group Cosla in St Andrews.

Stirling Council has cut council tax bills while 31 local authorities will not increase the charges.

Before last year's election the SNP pledged to freeze council tax ahead of the introduction of a proposed local income tax.

He told Cosla delegates: "Those critics who said the concordat will not work must recognise that, working together, we are already starting to deliver.

"We have achieved a council tax freeze in Scotland - providing much needed relief for householders facing pressure from rising bills in areas like food and fuel."

Ambitious agenda

He described the council tax freeze as being a "clear milestone of success" for the deal between councils and the Scottish Government - which will see local authorities given more freedom over how they spend.

"I do not underestimate the task ahead - but local government has risen to the challenge since last summer," he added.

"And I believe the deal we struck will stand the test of time. We have set out an ambitious agenda and we have made a good start. The challenge now is to sustain and build on that."

He went on to say the government would engage fully and directly with local government when it publishes its plans to introduce a local income tax based on ability to pay.