Tax weighing down Scots

Sir, - Last week when the council tax rates for Scotland were confirmed, an SNP spokesman claimed the rises were “fair and proportionate” adding that three out of four households will not see any change in the amount they pay.

Unless my logic has vanished since schooldays, an overall rise of 3% still means that tax levels have increased by 3%.

Granted, the low increases in bands A to D are below £34.74 annually but overall “no change” is not the truth.

Most Scottish council tax E to H bands face increases of 11% to 26%.

The recent SNP rise in income tax for middle and higher earning Scots is now well above UK levels.

Added to those burdens, property transfers attract a punitive Land and Buildings Transaction Tax higher than in England and last week’s massive increases in business rates will prove the coup de grace for many essential newstarts and other struggling enterprises. Angus Brown. The Orchard, Station Road, Longforgan.