Scottish Borders Council agrees 10% tax rise
Councillors were told a 10% increase in council tax was "unavoidable"
- Published
A 10% council tax rise has been agreed by councillors in the Scottish Borders.
The move - which the local authority said would generate an additional £7m - will see payments for a band D property rise from £1,356 to £1,491.
The council said it had been an "extremely difficult decision" but it was needed to protect vital services.
The increase comes after a freeze in payments last year in line with a Scottish government promise and in return for extra funding.
Scottish Borders Council tax increase for 2025/26
| Band | Tax 2024/25 | Increase | Tax 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | £904.07 | £90.41 | £994.48 |
| B | £1,054.75 | £105.48 | £1,160.23 |
| C | £1,205.43 | £120.54 | £1,325.97 |
| D | £1,356.11 | £135.61 | £1,491.72 |
| E | £1,781.78 | £178.17 | £1,959.95 |
| F | £2,203.68 | £220.37 | £2,424.05 |
| G | £2,655.72 | £265.57 | £2,921.29 |
| H | £3,322.47 | £332.24 | £3,654.71 |
The council has previously said that it felt it had "no choice" but to increase its tax levels.
The authority received an additional £19m from the Scottish government for 2025/26 but finance officers said most of that would be used to meet commitments to the likes of the Real Living Wage and a rollout of free school meals.
Leader Euan Jardine said the rise in tax could safeguard education, social care, and support for the most vulnerable while allowing investment in schools, roads and community projects.
The revenue and capital budget was developed by a cross-party group on Scottish Borders Council (SBC).
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The local authority is led by a Conservative-Independent alliance but involved opposition councillors in its budget-setting process.
It also gathered the views of more than 1,000 people in the region via consultation on its spending plans.
A full council meeting in Newtown St Boswells approved the budget proposals.
It came on the same day as many other councils across Scotland were meeting to agree their tax levels.
- Published7 days ago
