2/19/2026 | United Kingdom | politics | ✓ Verified - bbc.com

Double-digit council tax rises proposed for second year in a row

#Council tax #Scotland #Aberdeenshire #Moray #Inflation #Local government #Public services #Funding cuts

📌 Key Takeaways

Aberdeenshire and Moray councils propose 10% council tax increases, the highest proposed so far
Scotland's three largest councils (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife) propose more modest 5% increases
Councils face significant funding shortfalls and are proposing service cuts alongside tax increases
This marks the second year of substantial council tax increases after decades of frozen rates

📖 Full Retelling

Scottish local authorities including Aberdeenshire and Moray councils are proposing double-digit council tax increases of up to 10% for the second consecutive year in Aberdeenshire and Moray, Scotland, with the increases set to take effect from April 1, 2025, as councils face significant funding shortfalls and increasing service demands despite a 3% inflation rate. These proposed rises represent some of the highest in Scotland, with many councils considering increases well above the latest rate of inflation. Scotland's three largest councils by population - Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife - have all proposed a more modest 5% increase, expected to be among the lowest in Scotland. Scottish Borders Council has already agreed an 8.5% rise, while Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has proposed 9.5%, Midlothian is contemplating 9%, and Shetland councillors have suggested 7.3%. Aberdeenshire Council officials stated that without an increase in income, they were facing a shortfall of more than £17.5m in funding, forcing them to propose cuts to services including reduced school cleaning and grounds maintenance, stopping road line painting on residential streets, and ceasing sheltered housing support contributions. This follows a pattern of significant council tax increases that began last year, after decades of frozen or capped rates. In the 2024-25 financial year, the Scottish government subsidised a nationwide freeze, but that support ended in April 2025. Last year saw the biggest council tax increases in 20 years across Scotland, with Falkirk Council and Orkney Islands Council leading with increases of 15.6% and 15% respectively. Adding to household financial pressure, Scottish Water announced in January that water and sewer rates would increase by 8.67% from April. Most households also pay water charges through their council tax bills, based on the band of their home.

🏷️ Themes

Fiscal policy, Public services, Cost of living

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