This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7675384.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Extra funds to freeze council tax Funds for freezing council tax
(29 minutes later)
More money will be put forward by the Scottish Government next year so that council tax can be frozen, the finance secretary has said. Council tax will be frozen for another year and small Scottish businesses are to be offered 100% rates relief, the finance secretary has announced.
John Swinney made the pledge at the SNP conference in Perth. Mr Swinney told delegates at the party conference in Perth that "tens of thousands" of the country's smallest firms would benefit from rate cuts.
He also announced that small businesses would be offered 100% rates relief from next April to get them through the tough economic times. The reductions will be introduced from April next year.
Mr Swinney told delegates that "tens of thousands" of the country's smallest firms would benefit. He added that a council tax freeze would help those facing rises in other bills during the economic crisis.
"In challenging times we cannot rest on what we have already done," he said. Mr Swinney said: "In challenging times we cannot rest on what we have already done. When other bills are rising the people of Scotland can rely on the Scottish Government to freeze the council tax John SwinneyFinance secretary
Removing barriers
"We must do more to help people and businesses deal with the new economic conditions."We must do more to help people and businesses deal with the new economic conditions.
"That means fighting to protect jobs and decision-making in every single part of the Scottish economy but particularly at this time in financial services - and specifically on Halifax Bank of Scotland.""That means fighting to protect jobs and decision-making in every single part of the Scottish economy but particularly at this time in financial services - and specifically on Halifax Bank of Scotland."
He added: "When other bills are rising the people of Scotland can rely on the Scottish Government to freeze the council tax.
"The Scottish Government - on your side."
Mr Swinney insisted the Scottish Government was doing its bit to to help the country through the economic crisis.Mr Swinney insisted the Scottish Government was doing its bit to to help the country through the economic crisis.
It had reshaped its building plans to help the construction sector, was improving the planning system to remove barriers to development and was promoting Scotland as a tourist and business destination, he said.It had reshaped its building plans to help the construction sector, was improving the planning system to remove barriers to development and was promoting Scotland as a tourist and business destination, he said.
'No sense'
He also repeated demands made by First Minister Alex Salmond in his conference opening, that the Treasury release Scotland's share of the fossil fuel levy.He also repeated demands made by First Minister Alex Salmond in his conference opening, that the Treasury release Scotland's share of the fossil fuel levy.
Mr Swinney said: "Ofgem don't want the money, it's Scotland's money, but daft accounting rules as part of the United Kingdom mean that for every £1 we take from that fund, the Treasury in London will take £1 from our block grant.
"We cannot in effect use or touch that money that is indisputably ours.
"This makes no sense in today's economic climate."
He added that there was so much they could use the money for - like delivering low-cost renewable energy.
That, he said, would mean lower bills and more jobs for Scotland.
Mr Swinney attacked the economic record of the Labour party, saying they had brought the country to the brink of recession, with rising unemployment, rising inflation and the banking system in crisis.
He also called for Scotland to have "real powers for the economy" so real differences could be made to the lives of Scots.
He said: "We must have financial powers that give the same responsibilities and opportunities to Scotland as other small independent countries have at their disposal.
"It is even more important for our nation, for our families and for our future that we move to the same independence that is at the root of all nations' resilience and success."
Mr Swinney also spoke of the Climate Change Bill due to be published later in the year, stating it would be a bill able to lead international action.
He said they had listened to the mood of the country and will demonstrate action on emission reductions.