‘Don’t fob us off over tax concerns’

The SNP has been accused of “deflecting genuine concerns” about its council tax plans.

Education Secretary John Swinney sought to cool criticism of the changes yesterday, amid accusations north- east homeowners could fork out tens of millions of pounds to fund schools elsewhere in the country.

Mr Swinney claimed “all council tax income raised in all local authority areas will be retained in those local authority areas”.

But Scottish ConservativeMSPRossThomsonaccused him of trying to fob off residents’ concerns.

It is thought north-east homeowners will be disproportionately hit by SNP plans to raise tax on band E-H properties, because of high property values.

Mr Thomson said: “It is disappointing Mr Swinney continues to deflect genuine concerns that money raised through increases to council tax will notbespent locally. It is time SNP MSPs and SNP councillors were honest about where that extra income is going.”

Scottish Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald also raised concerns over the teacher crisis. He said: “Recruitment and retention of teachers in Aberdeen is more difficult than in the central belt and the SNP must reflect this when they present plans for education governance next year.”

Mr Swinney said Mr Macdonald’s point was “thoughtful”.

John Swinney: changes