8 November, 2016 - 15:34

On Thursday Andy spoke to his amendment to the Government’s Council Tax Statutory Instrument.

MSPs debated a Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) [full SSI here] enabling increases to Council Tax bands E-H. All opposition MSPs supported the Green amendment, which states that the Government’s plans "undermine the principle of local accountability and autonomy". The amendment made no attempt to block the Government’s Council tax plans and was voted through 64 votes for to 63 against.

"My amendment puts on record the serious concerns expressed across the political parties, local government itself and the public service unions. The changes planned by Scottish Ministers undermine local democracy by appropriating local funds for national purposes.

"Council Tax is discredited and must go and we have been clear that we are willing to work with the Government towards that. We have also been clear that their adjustments to Council Tax are better than nothing and our amendment does not block the passing of the SSI.”

Link to Andy's amendment here. 

Link to video of the debate here.