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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Talks over scrapping council tax | Talks over scrapping council tax |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Talks have taken place between the Scottish Government and the Liberal Democrats over scrapping the council tax in favour of a local income tax. | Talks have taken place between the Scottish Government and the Liberal Democrats over scrapping the council tax in favour of a local income tax. |
| The top level meeting, which took place at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, has been described as "constructive". | The top level meeting, which took place at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, has been described as "constructive". |
| The SNP is committed to replacing the council tax with a local income tax set at 3p. | The SNP is committed to replacing the council tax with a local income tax set at 3p. |
| Further detailed talks are expected to take place on Monday, ahead of the publication of a consultation document. | |
| First Minister Alex Salmond and Finance Secretary John Swinney met Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen and Lib Dem finance spokesman Tavish Scott. | First Minister Alex Salmond and Finance Secretary John Swinney met Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen and Lib Dem finance spokesman Tavish Scott. |
| Tax options | Tax options |
| It came just days after Mr Stephen challenged the first minister to enter into talks. | It came just days after Mr Stephen challenged the first minister to enter into talks. |
| The Conservatives branded the talks a waste of time and called for reform of the council tax. | The Conservatives branded the talks a waste of time and called for reform of the council tax. |
| Labour said the government's plans simply did not add up. | Labour said the government's plans simply did not add up. |
| The SNP favour a centrally set local income tax, while the Lib Dems want it set at a local level. | The SNP favour a centrally set local income tax, while the Lib Dems want it set at a local level. |
| Reports suggest a compromise may be being considered to propose a centrally set tax which could evolve to have responsibility passed to local authorities. | Reports suggest a compromise may be being considered to propose a centrally set tax which could evolve to have responsibility passed to local authorities. |
| A deal between the SNP and Lib Dems would still leave the government two votes short of a majority of 65 MSPs in the parliament. | A deal between the SNP and Lib Dems would still leave the government two votes short of a majority of 65 MSPs in the parliament. |
| This could come from the Green Party, but they support a land value tax. | This could come from the Green Party, but they support a land value tax. |