Monday October 27th 2025
Scottish Parliament
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The Scottish Government are seeking views on the future of council tax in Scotland in a consultation launched today (27 October).
The consultation aims to understand how Scotland’s council tax system could be made fairer and more up to date to modern times, exploring models such as adjusting tax bands and introducing protections to help households manage changes to bills.
Council tax has not been fundamentally changed or updated since its introduction over 30 years ago. As property values and local circumstances have changed, questions have grown about whether the system still works as intended.
Commenting on the consultation, Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA Resources Spokesperson, said:
“Local government has long called for a fairer and more proportionate Council Tax system – one that reflects the needs of our communities and supports our local services. Reform is long overdue. This important work marks the beginning of a process to build consensus around a better system of local taxation.
“We have worked closely with the Scottish Government on this consultation. It is important that everyone has an opportunity to share their views on what a fairer Council Tax system might look like in the future.
“Through this national conversation which will include consultation, town hall events, and expert roundtables – we aim to develop a shared and unified approach that delivers for all of Scotland.
“COSLA is clear that any meaningful reform must be built on strong foundations informed by new research, the views of the public and the views of Local Government.”
Today’s consultation forms part of the government’s broader programme of work which is seeking to build consensus on reforms to local tax as council tax reform has been the subject of analysis and debate in Scotland over the past two decades.
For the full Scottish Government consultation click here.
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