Under the new proposals, most tax brackets will be frozen, while the basic and intermediate rates will increase by 7.4%, pushing some into lower tax brackets and keeping others from paying more. But she said the package of support, including tax and social security, was worth about £480 a year. A private jet tax will also be mulled over in the coming years, Ms Robison saying those who use the aircraft will “pay and pay a fair share for that privilege”. On council tax, the Finance Secretary claimed funding for local government was increasing by 2% in real terms, as she urged councils against large increases in levies. “Decisions on council tax rates will, of course, be taken locally, however, this is a reasonable deal and given the cost-of-living pressures that we all recognise, I urge local authorities to translate the settlement into reasonable decisions on council tax,” she said.

Source: The Herald January 13, 2026 16:51 UTC