Moray MP Douglas Ross has slammed the SNP-Green government for proposing council tax residents of up to 22.5 per cent for his constituents.
The proposals were laid out by ministers in a consultation last week, with people able to give their views until September 20.
The plans would hit those living in Band E-H properties in Moray, with the lowest rises planned for Band E households at 7.5 per cent. Those in Band F households would suffer 12.5 per cent rises, with increases rising to 17.5 per cent for those in Band G properties.
Those living in Band H dwellings would suffer 22.5 per cent increases.
Douglas says the increases will “shock” local residents who are already grappling with the global cost-of-living crisis.
He says his Moray constituents shouldn’t be “bearing the brunt” of the failure of the SNP-Green government to “properly fund” local authorities like Moray year after year.
Research by the Scottish Conservatives has uncovered the “outrageous” hikes Moray council tax payers would have to shell out if the plans were given the go-ahead.
Those in Band E properties in Moray would have to pay over £2,000 a year if a 7.5 per cent increase was agreed, which would affect close to 6,700 households in the area, with bills rising by £141 annually.
Band F dwellers would be hit with a rise of over £290, with bills shooting up to over £2,600. Over 2,500 properties come under the Band F valuation in Moray.
The proposed 17.5 per cent increase in Moray would affect over 700 households who would see bills rise by nearly £500 and hit nearly £3,300.
And over 100 households are facing eye-watering 22.5 per cent increases which would impose bills of almost £4,300 and an increase of £788 each year.
Douglas has encouraged everyone in Moray to make their feelings known in the consultation to give the best possible chance of stopping these rises.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “These proposed rises in council tax will shock people across Moray. They are already grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, yet the SNP-Green government think now is the time to whack up their council tax bills.
“Local people should not be bearing the brunt of SNP-Green ministers failing to properly fund our councils for years, which has left a black hole in their finances.
“Thousands of households are facing outrageous hikes to the tune of hundreds of pounds, which sums up how out-of-touch the SNP-Green government is with the challenges people are experiencing.
“Once again, ministers are passing the buck to councils to make impossible decisions rather than taking responsibility for their failures.
“I would urge all people in Moray who share my anger at these proposed rises to make their feelings loudly known to the SNP-Green government in this consultation.”
