Local MP Alex Salmond and SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford have welcomed the decision by Aberdeenshire Council to freeze Council Tax bills for a further year.
The council tax freeze is fully funded by the Scottish Government, ensuring councils can continue to invest whilst giving hard working households a break from high bills during the recession. The decision to freeze the tax is expected save households in Aberdeenshire an average of £142 over the course of the year.
Speaking following the announcement, Mr Salmond said:
"Hard pressed households across the country will welcome the news that councils are to freeze the council tax.
"We are all having to tighten our belts as a result of the London Government’s decision to slash over £800 million from the Scottish budget. That’s why I welcome the decision of Aberdeenshire Council to support the SNP's efforts to help households across Scotland through the tough times by agreeing to the council tax freeze."
SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford, added:
"This is good news for people in Banff & Buchan. With many people facing tighter household budgets, this saving will go some way to help them in these more difficult times.
“Council Tax increased by a staggering 93% in Aberdeenshire before the SNP came to Government. We are taking action to ensure that the unfair council tax does not penalise hard-working families and pensioners even more."