SEVERAL Scottish local authorities have confirmed above-inflation increases in council tax next year, as council leaders said they are necessary to maintain essential public services.
The Scottish Borders and Glasgow are the latest councils to confirm increases in 25/26. Bills will rise by 8.2% in Fife, and 10% in East Lothian.
Other councils are expected to impose similar increases, with a 10% rise being mooted in North Lanarkshire and an 8% increase expected in Edinburgh.
Residents in Fife will also see bills go up by 10% next year.
Councillors debated between the minority Labour administration’s 8.2% or SNP’s 6.4% proposals. Ultimately, Labour’s plans – with unanimous support from Conservatives and LibDems – won 40-31.
The increase will cause council tax bills for band D properties in Fife to rise by about £113 a year – which is about £9.40 per month.
Here are the new annual charges per property band for Fife residents: (£)
- A £998.20
- B £1165.73
- C £1333.26
- D £1500.79
- E £1962.00
- F £2424.45
- G £2915.88
- H £3650.82
“This has been one of the most challenging budgets we’ve faced during my time as a councillor,” council leader David Ross (Labour) said.
“We know asking people to pay more on council tax is going to have an impact for families, but cutting back on vital local services is going to have more of an impact – particularly on the most vulnerable.”
He added: “We have to strike a balance between making savings, raising council tax and continuing essential investment in our services for local people.”
However, SNP opposition group leader Craig Walker argued that the tax should be kept as low as possible to protect residents in Fife.
“[Our 6.4% increase] represents a more responsible and balanced approach to the financial pressures we face and it ensures we’re not passing on an excessive cost to our residents – and we’re still maintaining quality services that are essential to us all,” he said.
Even with the 8.2% increase, Labour is anticipating a 5% increase in Council Tax rates in both 2026 and in 2027.
