North Lanarkshire Council Tax to Rise by 10 Percent in Scotland

North Lanarkshire will raise council tax by ten percent. They made this decision at a meeting on Thursday. Labour has controlled this council since 2022. They took over from the SNP back then.

This increase is larger than the current inflation rate. It’s one of the highest rates in Scotland. John Swinney wanted smaller council tax increases. He thought ten percent was too much.

Several councils met on Thursday to set rates. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, and Borders met too. They discussed 2025-26 budgets and council tax plans.

East Lothian first voted for a ten percent rise. That council said it needed the money. The rise will help keep public services running. The Scottish Government had a tax freeze before.

Swinney warned against large increases this time. He said his budget helps councils. He thinks big increases are not needed now. He believes ten percent is unnecessary.

Humza Yousaf announced a tax freeze in 2023. Swinney later confirmed it was lifted. Swinney thinks councils got a good funding deal. Leaders told him this privately, he says. This means council tax should not rise so much.