Scottish Government plans for reforming council tax “fall well short” of the recommendations set out by its own poverty adviser, Greens co-convenor Patrick Harvie has said.
Mr Harvie accused Nicola Sturgeon of “tinkering with a broken system” despite accepting the findings of Naomi Eisenstadt’s report, which called for bold action on local taxation to shift the burden away from those on lower incomes.
The SNP administration wants to maintain the council tax system while increasing council tax for those in the top bands E to H, and helping lower income households through the council tax reduction system.
The Greens want to replace the council tax entirely with a new residential property tax based on up-to-date property valuations.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Mr Harvie said: “Tweaking the upper bands on the council tax does not sound to anybody like bold reform of local taxation.
“This is not a time for tinkering with a broken system.
“As the adviser’s report stated, this a central moment of political decision, an opportunity to introduce a much more progressive system.
“What the First Minister has announced clearly falls well short of that.
He added: “What on earth will it take to persuade the Government that it is time to kill off the council tax for good, and adopt a modern fair and flexible system of funding our local services?”
Ms Sturgeon said: “I believe these are bold and far-reaching plans, but of course on this and on a range of other issues as we go through this session… we will liaise and consult and talk to parties across the chamber and will be happy to listen to other parties on how we can further improve our plans.”
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