Unfair council tax benefits the rich

And politics certainly have when Labour, in opposition, are now the Party trying to deliver one of the main policies of the Scottish Government.

And yet this is the strange situation that Scottish politics finds itself in and bizarrely it’s on an issue on which most people agree; the unfairness of the council tax.

Council tax makes up less than one in every five pounds that Glasgow spends every year on schools, roads, care workers, bin collections and other public services.

Almost every major party in Scotland agrees it is an unfair tax that disproportionately benefits the richest Scots. Every Party agrees except the Tories – Quelle surprise.

The current council tax is unfair on Glaswegians who are asked to fork over money every month based on the value of their homes a quarter of a century ago regardless whether they are a millionaire or on the minimum wage.

It’s unfair on councils who would rather raise money for the vital services people rely upon in a far better and more progressive way, the norm across Europe, if only Holyrood would stop clutching onto the powers to do so.

The SNP committed itself to scrapping the “hated” council tax but after a decade in power, despite being elected, and re-elected, on a promise to scrap the tax, the Scottish Government have now confirmed that under their watch it is here to stay.

The edges will be tinkered with and called “reform” but once again our country’s leaders have bottled it and ducked yet another hard decision.

Glasgow deserves better than a 'don’t rock the boat' approach.

That is why I am delighted that Kezia Dugdale has listened to city leaders, Scottish councils and above all taxpayers across the country.

She agrees that council tax has had its day. It is simply no longer fit for purpose or relevant in the 21st century.

Her radical and bold tax plan, announced last week, would completely abolish council tax and see 2 million households - 80% of Scots - paying less than they do today.

Her announcement, a fairer plan which means millions will pay less and those who can afford to will pay a little more showed that where there is a political will there is a way.

She has argued for greater powers for Holyrood and now that we have them, she wants to use them.

It is now up to Scottish Labour to pick up the mantel and deliver the fairer Scotland that people want, and it’s up to voters to decide if they want the same old system or a fairer alternative to council tax.

Last week I had the pleasure of opening the Orchard Grove Care Home in Toryglen – part of the council’s multimillion pound investment to make sure we support every Glaswegian throughout their entire lives.

I’m sure almost every Glaswegian will have had a friend or relative who’s lived in a care home somewhere across the city. And whilst there’s no doubt about the level of care that our dedicated staff provide day in day out, too often the homes themselves have felt like an institution instead of a home. Somewhere that people visit rather than somewhere they want to live and spend time.

Well, let me tell you, Orchard Grove breaks the mould.

Turning up at the entrance, you might have forgotten you were going to a care home and instead turned up at the Orchard Grove Hilton. On top of the first class care to help people get on with their lives, there’s so much more on offer.

Whether it's catching a favourite film in the onsite cinema, or getting a new hairstyle from the hairdresser, you might struggle to get rid of your visitors.

There’s no doubt that all the residents are enjoying their new home and the opening ceremony itself was a great success – although I’m pretty sure everyone was more interested in the great performance from the Clydebank Male Voice Choir rather than my speech.

The facilities might have been world class but the spark and the life in the building was coming from the residents and the families.

And In particular from Irene, a sparky and witty resident who, sitting with her pals, was busy putting everyone in their place with humour and grace, including me.

And the deeply moving speech from the daughter and the carer of a resident who put into words the massive difference that Orchard Grove has made to their lives, highlighting why investment like this is so important.

Orchard Park is a great example of the council’s continued investment for those who need our support. Despite the great challenges facing our city I am determined that we will continue to push ahead and make sure all Glaswegians have the very best of care throughout their lives and into retirement.

It is the least we can do for those who have worked hard all their days to build the Glasgow we all love.