Household bills have risen as much as 61 per cent at the same time as the Council Tax has remained frozen in Scotland, new figures have revealed.
Between 2007 and 2012 - while Council Tax bills have remained static in Scotland thanks to the SNP - household energy bills have increased on average by 61.1%. Meanwhile, the cost of petrol has gone up by 44.7% and average food costs have risen 37.5%.
Gross median weekly pay, on the other hand, has only risen 9.0% since in the same period. Since 2010 wages have actually fallen in the UK by 5.5%, the fourth worst fall out of the EU’s 27 countries.
Commenting, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani, who sits on the Welfare Reform Committee, said:
“With so many households facing the pressure of rising bills, it's an enormous relief for people to know that their Council Tax bill will not rise under the SNP.
“While bills that the Scottish Government have presently no control over; heating, electricity, petrol and food have all risen sharply – including energy bills rocketing by 61% which hit the poorest and most vulnerable in Scotland the hardest - people's Council Tax bills have not risen by a single penny under the SNP.
“The Council Tax freeze has provided a welcome boost for those struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, but with independence we can do even more.
“Only a Yes vote in next year’s referendum will give the Scottish Parliament full control of job creation, taxation, welfare and energy policy in an independent Scotland, with which we can reduce inequality and work to ease these financial pressures faced by households across Scotland."
“While bills that the Scottish Government have presently no control over; heating, electricity, petrol and food have all risen sharply – including energy bills rocketing by 61% which hit the poorest and most vulnerable in Scotland the hardest - people's Council Tax bills have not risen by a single penny under the SNP.
“The Council Tax freeze has provided a welcome boost for those struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, but with independence we can do even more.
“Only a Yes vote in next year’s referendum will give the Scottish Parliament full control of job creation, taxation, welfare and energy policy in an independent Scotland, with which we can reduce inequality and work to ease these financial pressures faced by households across Scotland."
