Edinburgh Tories’ Lowest 2.5% Tax Rise Edinburgh 2026

Key Points

• Edinburgh’s Conservative Group proposes a 2.5% Council Tax increase, the lowest among all parties on the City of Edinburgh Council and likely the lowest in Scotland for 2026/27.
• This 2.5% rise is below the UK inflation rate of 3%, offering a real-terms reduction for over 250,000 households in Edinburgh amid financial pressures from national tax rises under Labour in Westminster and SNP at Holyrood.
• Labour, SNP, and Liberal Democrats support a 5% increase (above inflation); Greens propose 6%.
• Conservative budget protects frontline services and boosts investment in graffiti removal at heritage sites (including Union Canal), road and pavement repairs, and a new Pest and Vermin Taskforce.
• Rejects increases to Council Tax premiums on second and empty homes, viewing Council Tax as partly a charge for services used.
• Councillor Iain Whyte, Conservative Group Leader, criticises other parties for above-inflation rises and notes SNP First Minister’s stance against such increases.
• Compares favourably to most Scottish councils planning 10% or higher increases for 2026/27.

Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) February 24, 2026 – Edinburgh’s Conservative Group has tabled a Council budget proposing a modest 2.5% increase in Council Tax, positioning it as the lowest among political parties on the City of Edinburgh Council and potentially the most restrained anywhere in Scotland this year.

This proposal comes as households grapple with rising costs, offering what the Conservatives describe as a real-terms cut given the UK inflation rate of 3%. The move contrasts sharply with rival parties’ plans: Labour, SNP, and Liberal Democrats backing 5% hikes, while Greens push for 6%.

What Does the Conservative Budget Propose for Council Tax?

The Conservative Group’s budget, as detailed in coverage by NEN Press, sets out a 2.5% Council Tax uplift for 2026/27. This figure applies across Edinburgh’s more than 250,000 households, aiming to ease the financial burden exacerbated by national policies.

As reported by the NEN Press article titled “Edinburgh Conservatives propose lowest Council Tax increase in Scotland at 2.5%”, the proposal represents a real-terms reduction. It explicitly counters tax pressures from Labour’s Westminster government and the SNP’s Holyrood administration.

Councillor Iain Whyte, Conservative Group Leader, stated:

“Edinburgh families are already under enormous financial pressure. The last thing they need is their Council adding to that burden with above-inflation tax rises. Our budget shows you can protect services, invest in the things that matter, and still give residents a real-terms break on their bills.”

He added:

“Every other party on this Council wants to charge residents more than inflation. We think that’s wrong. With over a quarter of a million households in Edinburgh, a below-inflation increase makes a real difference to real people.”

Furthermore, Councillor Whyte remarked:

“The SNP’s own First Minister said above-inflation Council Tax rises would not be reasonable. It’s a shame his colleagues on Edinburgh Council didn’t get that memo.”

This stance aligns with broader Scottish contexts, where most councils anticipate 10% or higher increases for 2026/27, per the NEN Press report.

How Does This Compare to Other Parties’ Proposals?

Rival parties on Edinburgh Council advocate significantly higher rises. Labour, SNP, and Liberal Democrats all support 5% increases, exceeding inflation, while Greens propose 6%.

The NEN Press coverage highlights that these alternatives would impose greater strain on residents, unlike the Conservative plan which “lives within its means without sacrificing the services residents rely on.”

No additional statements from Labour, SNP, Liberal Democrat, or Green representatives appear in the primary NEN Press source, though the Conservatives frame their budget as a “credible alternative” to these positions.

What Key Services Does the Budget Protect and Enhance?

Frontline services remain safeguarded under the Conservative proposal, with targeted investments in resident priorities.

Key enhancements include:

• A dedicated fund for graffiti removal at heritage sites, explicitly naming the Union Canal.
• Increased spending on road and pavement repairs.
• Establishment of a new Pest and Vermin Taskforce.

These measures, as outlined in the NEN Press article, demonstrate fiscal prudence while addressing visible quality-of-life issues in Edinburgh.

Why Reject Premiums on Second and Empty Homes?

The Conservative budget explicitly opposes planned hikes to Council Tax premiums on second homes and empty properties.

NEN Press reports that the Group argues Council Tax should retain its role as “in part a charge for services used rather than solely a property tax.” This philosophy prioritises usage-based fairness over punitive property taxation.

What Is the Broader Scottish Context for Council Tax Rises?

Edinburgh’s Conservative proposal stands out nationally. The NEN Press piece notes it is “likely to be among the lowest increases anywhere in Scotland this year,” contrasting with expectations of up to 10% or more across most Scottish councils for 2026/27.

This positions Edinburgh Conservatives as outliers in a landscape of steeper hikes, amid ongoing debates over local authority funding and inflation.

Who Is Leading the Conservative Push?

Councillor Iain Whyte spearheads the initiative as Conservative Group Leader on Edinburgh Council. His quoted statements, fully attributed via NEN Press, underscore the budget’s resident-focused rationale and critique of rivals.

No further biographical details on Whyte emerge from the source, but his leadership role amplifies the proposal’s prominence.

When and How Will the Budget Be Decided?

The budget awaits formal consideration by the City of Edinburgh Council. While NEN Press does not specify an exact vote date, the proposal enters deliberations amid annual budgeting for 2026/27.

Edinburgh Council’s political makeup—dominated by SNP and Labour in coalition, with Conservatives in opposition—suggests challenges to passage, though cross-party support remains possible.

What Economic Pressures Face Edinburgh Households?

Edinburgh families face compounded strains, as noted in the NEN Press coverage. UK inflation at 3% coincides with tax rises from Westminster Labour and Holyrood SNP policies.

The Conservative 2.5% proposal aims to mitigate this by delivering a real-terms saving, potentially returning money to pockets across the city’s 250,000-plus households.

Are There Any Criticisms or Responses from Other Parties?

The primary NEN Press source focuses on the Conservative perspective without direct rebuttals. However, the Group’s narrative implicitly anticipates opposition, given rival parties’ higher proposals.

SNP First Minister’s prior comment against above-inflation rises, invoked by Whyte, adds irony to local SNP support for 5%.

How Does This Fit Edinburgh’s Fiscal Challenges?

Edinburgh Council grapples with balancing books amid service demands. The Conservative budget claims to achieve this without service cuts, via efficiencies and targeted spending.

Graffiti at heritage sites like the Union Canal, potholed roads, and pest issues represent tangible voter concerns, making these investments politically astute.

What Happens Next in Edinburgh’s Budget Process?

Councillors will debate proposals in coming weeks, culminating in a vote. Outcomes could influence not just tax bills but service delivery across Scotland’s capital.

Residents watch closely, as the 2.5% versus 5-6% divide equates to meaningful annual savings—potentially tens of pounds per household.

This proposal, sourced comprehensively from NEN Press, underscores partisan divides on fiscal responsibility. As deliberations unfold, it tests whether Edinburgh prioritises restraint over revenue.