Highlight of the day: MSPs vote to increase the top four bands of council tax despite, but not without drama....published at 17:26 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2016
MSPs have voted to increase the top four bands of council tax despite the final order criticising the government.
The changes will see council tax bands E-H rise from April 2017.
SNP members were forced to vote for a motion noting that they had failed to make radical enough changes, after opposition parties amended the order.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said the changes were "the first step in a journey of reform", but other parties were critical of the SNP's approach.
The council tax freeze is to end in 2017, meaning all properties could potentially see their bill rise. But the order passed at Holyrood means the top four bands will rise in proportion to the others.
The average band E household will pay £2 per week more than at present, and those in the highest band about £10 a week more