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SNP Government urges Scots councils to end row over teacher numbers and accept Budget cash

The Scottish Government, led by the SNP, is urging local councils to increase council tax rates for properties in higher bands (E to H) to address a £1 billion funding gap in public services. This proposal comes as part of a broader effort to manage financial pressures without cutting services, with the government suggesting that councils could raise up to 22% more from these higher band properties. The move has sparked controversy, with opposition parties like the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour criticizing the SNP for potentially breaking their 2017 manifesto promise to freeze council tax. The government has also announced a £147 million fund to support this initiative, aiming to mitigate the impact on lower band properties while still generating necessary revenue. However, the decision on whether to implement these changes remains with individual councils, leading to varied responses across Scotland.

Read the Full Daily Record Article at:
[ https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/snp-government-urges-scots-councils-34284115 ]