Scotland Town Halls Confirm Council Tax Hikes Today

Hey, some councils in Scotland will raise taxes. Today, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and North Lanarkshire meet. They will decide on their 2025-26 budgets. Council tax changes are a major item to vote on.

Glasgow’s meeting occurs at 11 am today. They may raise taxes six or seven percent, depending on other parties’ approval. It’s more than inflation, but less than other plans.

Edinburgh’s Labour council meets at 10 am today too. An eight percent tax increase is probable. The council cut services, with few funds available, and they don’t want more cuts.

North Lanarkshire meets at 2 pm today. They may raise taxes nine to eleven percent to fix a £14 million funding gap. East Lothian already raised taxes ten percent on Tuesday.

East Lothian acted to maintain public services after Scotland lifted a freeze on the council tax levy. John Swinney cautioned against large increases, saying big rises seem unneeded now. He believes his budget helps all councils sufficiently. When asked, Swinney said ten percent “is too high” and genuinely felt it wasn’t necessary at all.