GMB: Revenue must be raised to blunt impact of ‘draconian’ cuts

‘Local tax to fund local services should be a vital part of local democracy’ – Alex McLuckie, GMB Scotland

John Swinney is wrong to make light of the impact of ‘draconian’ cuts to budgets for Scotland’s councils, says a leading trade union.

GMB Scotland, the union for public service workers, commented on yesterday’s article in The Times by John Swinney rejecting the case for increasing council tax to avoid cuts to Scottish local councils.

Alex McLuckie, Regional Officer GMB Scotland, said: “John Swinney is wrong to dismiss or make light of the impact of cuts to budgets for Scotland councils. He could not be more wrong to say ‘some of the language used to describe this has been unnecessary.’ The cuts in Glasgow, for example, are draconian.

“More revenue needs to be raised to blunt the impact of these cuts.

“If council tax had kept pace with inflation Scottish councils would be raising an additional £427m in 2016/17. There would be no need to raid Scottish Government central funds to compensate for these lost taxes thus increasing to amount available for the block grants to councils by £427m.

“Freezing council tax is eroding Scotland’s tax base. The compensation mechanism perpetuates a “rob Peter to pay Paul” approach to funding Scotland’s councils and should stop.

“Local tax to fund local services should be a vital part of local democracy. Voters should be able to make choices about how much tax they should pay and for what level of public service.

If the Council Tax is to end any replacement should fairer, more progressive and empower local voters. GMB Scotland will work to build a consensus for a tax base to be broadened in a fair way to pay for essential public services”.