John Swinney has been urged to “seize the initiative” on council tax reform after Andy Burnham confirmed he has no plans to scrap the system in England.
The new Prime Minister dismissed reports earlier this week he was planning to scrap the regressive form of local taxation, which was introduced more than 30 years ago and is based on long out-of-date property prices.
The SNP was first elected to Holyrood in 2007 on a manifesto that included a promise to scrap the system north of the Border, but successive ministers have since dodged the issue.
Scotland’s most senior trade unionist has now called on the SNP Government to “get their finger out” and push forward with developing proposals for a replacement to council tax.
Roz Foyer, STUC general secretary, said: “While the Prime Minister now appears to be wobbling on council tax reform, this should send a clear message to the Scottish Government to get their finger out and seize the initiative.
“Workers in Scotland have been failed by politicians who still refuse to grasp the nettle and deliver meaningful change on the regressive, unworkable council tax.
“For too long, Scotland’s local authorities have been constrained by a broken council tax system that has failed to deliver the quality of public services communities need while contributing to a growing gap in public finances.
“Polling from Tax Justice Scotland shows five times as many Scots support urgent council tax reform as oppose it, while an overwhelming 83 per cent want a fairer system with people in higher-value homes paying proportionately more than people in lower-value homes.
“While the devil is in the detail, the Prime Minister clearly knows the public are demanding change. Workers won’t permit any further false dawns from politicians across the country and the Scottish Government can ill afford to be dragging behind the coattails of the UK Government when it comes to progressive tax reform.”
Sara Cowan of Tax Justice Scotland said: “Scotland’s council tax system is unfair, outdated, and badly in need of reform. The current system disproportionately impacts those on low incomes, which women are more likely to be on. It misses the opportunity to fund essential public services including social care, childcare and local buses more fairly.
“We’ve been hearing from women across Scotland their desire for change. To create a fair system where those with greater levels of wealth pay their fair share.
“While we await detail on what the interventions in England may look like, this sends a clear signal that now is the time for reform across the UK.”
The Record previously reported how one leading charity warned the failure to to reform the “broken” council tax system was condemning some Scots to live in poverty while “protecting” the wealthiest.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) said the levy, imposed by the Tories more than 30 years ago, was “outdated, regressive and desperately needs reform”.
More than one in 10 households on the lowest incomes are behind on their council tax bills, while for those in higher value homes it acts as a tax subsidy.
A Scottish Government spokesman said ministers had “delivered a range of improvements to make council tax fairer and more affordable”.
They added: “Ministers have also enabled councils to increase charges for second and long-term properties, with every council in Scotland making use of these new powers to help increase the number of properties available for local residents.
“The introduction of a Mansion Tax will raise millions of additional funding each year for local public services by requiring those who have the most to contribute more.
Article continues below
“Council tax reform requires political consensus and a clear understanding of what should come next. The Scottish Government is working cross party to build a shared agreement on the future of council tax in Scotland.”