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
Fife and Glasgow are the latest councils to confirm increases in 25/26. Bills will rise by 8.2% in Fife, 7.5% in Glasgow, 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 the Scottish Borders will also see bills go up by 10% next year.
Speaking following the decision Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “This budget sets out a series of actions which will help secure the future of our communities.
“The 10 per cent increase in council tax was an extremely difficult decision, but ultimately members across the political spectrum agreed it was necessary to protect frontline services and make investing in communities a priority."
Among the cutbacks agreed was scrapping of the Community Action Team (CAT), a police-led team funded by Scottish Borders Council set up to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and illegal parking.
Here are the new annual charges per property band for Scottish Borders residents: (£)
- A 994.48
- B 1160.23
- C 1325.97
- D 1491.72
- E 1959.95
- F 2424.05
- G 2921.29
- H 3654.71
The council faces a £69m funding gap by 2034/35 without permanent service reductions being made, reinforcing the requirement for “transformational change” over the next decade.
The 10% increase in council tax for 2025/26 will result in a Band D property equivalent rate of £1491.72 which equates to an average annual increase of £135.61, or £11.30 per month (£2.61 per week).
The move comes as the nationwide freezing of council tax rates, introduced by former first minister Humza Yousaf, comes to an end.
