Scottish Councils Approve Record Tax Hikes and Pay Increases

Residents face council tax increases of up to 15% as local authorities implement generous pay raises for staff, citing financial pressures and funding shortfalls.

• Council tax rates across Scotland will rise by at least 6% in April, with some areas like Falkirk and Orkney seeing increases as high as 15% to 15.6%.
• The Scottish government approved pay raises of up to 22% for council staff, with some councils implementing even higher increases, such as Midlothian's 56% rise for senior staff.
• Residents are also facing additional service fees, including higher costs for burials, bin collections, and swimming lessons in some areas.
• Local authorities cite rising public sector pay, inflation, energy costs, and national insurance contributions as key drivers of the tax hikes and financial strain.
• Critics argue that the combination of tax increases and service cuts is unsustainable, with many households already struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis.

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