COUNCIL tax has been an issue in Scottish life ever since its introduction. Past years, when what seemed like incessant rises were occurring, and folk were struggling, saw it frozen. That happened during the financial crash almost 15 years ago now, providing some modest relief as financial worries grew for many.

But those times have come again and the council tax should once again be frozen. Prices are rising in the shops and on the forecourt. In a few months when the price cap ends, everyone, not just those whose supplier has changed, will likely see their energy costs rocket. Added to that, those working are going to face a National Insurance tax hike that will see more taken off the bottom line on their pay packet.

The announcement that council tax is going up by three per cent this year and by five per cent for both the following years is a huge worry. Those already struggling or about to be hammered by those other costs will struggle to meet this additional one.

Now I have sympathy for the council, as they too are strapped for cash. The cuts from Holyrood and in turn by Westminster are hitting them hard. Additional funds have been found from the Scottish Government but they don’t yet go far enough. So far, they’ve magicked up £120 million when they said there was no more in the kitty. Yet there’s always some available.

An additional £15 million would provide for a freeze to be fully funded. That’s not an insurmountable sum. That should be provided by the Scottish Government but with the council tax frozen, not increased.

Before heading on the train to London this week, I joined the RMT demonstration in Edinburgh against cuts in services. The rail network has been hit hard by coronavirus but, as we come out of lockdown, it’s essential to getting back to normal. Closures and cuts to booking offices or journeys are wrong. The county is suffering enough from reductions in the bus network, it cannot be replicated on the rails. The staff deserve so much better.