Budget: Alba Party’s Ash Regan “welcomes step in right direction” but raises concern over “Super Hikes” to Council Tax
ALBA Party Holyrood leader Ash Regan MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s draft budget as “a step in the right direction.”
The MSP has though raised concerns that the decision to end the freeze on Council Tax will see bills skyrocket across Scotland.
Ms Regan held constructive talks with the Scottish Government ahead of the publication of today’s draft budget. She set out her key priorities of the Government to secure her vote, mainly mitigating the cut to winter fuel payments as well as wanting to see funding put in place for the roll out of universal free school meals to all primary school children.
The Alba Party Holyrood leader has today welcomed that the Scottish Government has “stepped in the right direction” in order to secure her support but has raised concerns that today’s budget could now see Scots hit with “super hikes” to council tax after the Government announced the end of the council tax freeze and that there would be no cap on the level at which local authorities could raise council tax.
Alba Party previously called on the Scottish Government to mitigate the two child benefit cap and have welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that it will do so in today’s budget statement.
Ms Regan also called on the Scottish Government to confirm when it will deliver on its manifesto commitment to fund free school meals.
Commenting Alba Party Holyrood leader Ash Regan MSP said:
"I have taken part in Constructive budget talks with the Scottish Government in advance of today and already we successfully had the Scottish Government announce it would move towards mitigating the cut to the winter fuel payments.
"Although today’s announcement for more free breakfast clubs in primary schools across Scotland is welcome, I look forward to more detail on the proposal and will continue to lobby for funding for the full roll out of universal entitlement to free school meals. This will be a step in the right direction towards securing my vote to back the budget
"However, today’s announcement on ending the freeze to Council Tax, without any cap on rises to replace it, means that hard pressed Scots who are already under financial pressure could now face a super hike to their Council Tax bills next year. I look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that household budgets are protected as part of the final budget that will be voted on early next year."
