TWO local SNP politicians have criticised Inverclyde Council’s Labour administration after plans to cancel out a planned council tax hike were revealed.

The Telegraph reported on Tuesday that council leader Stephen McCabe has confirmed he will ‘reluctantly’ put forward a new plan which would wipe out a previously approved rates rise of 8.2 per cent.

MP Ronnie Cowan and colleague Stuart McMillan MSP have attributed the Labour group’s move to the impact of a ‘people-powered’ campaign against the increase.

Inverclyde Council was one of just two local authorities in Scotland that defied the Scottish Government’s plans for a council tax freeze in 2024/25, alongside Argyll & Bute Council.

But after a last-minute deal was reached with the government, Inverclyde householders will now receive a rebate which will ensure they pay no extra council tax this year.

Mr Cowan said: "While Labour voted through this absurd 8.2 per cent hike, I and the SNP stood against it.

“This is a victory for the people-powered campaign to abandon this plan - but it wouldn’t have been necessary had the local Labour party taken into account the need for a council tax freeze.

“While households across Scotland are struggling to cope with the effects of the Tories’ austerity policies and cost of living crisis it beggars belief Labour would want to add to the economic misery many in Inverclyde are facing.

“It’s clear Labour can’t be trusted to stand up for local people - proving that only a vote for the SNP can secure results and support for struggling households.”

Mr McMillan added: "The SNP government fully funded a council tax freeze for every household in Scotland to ensure that people had more money in their pockets to cope with the Westminster cost of living crisis.

"First Minister Humza Yousaf promised a council tax freeze to every household in Scotland to support budgets through the cost-of-living crisis - I am proud that thanks to our people-powered campaign the people of Inverclyde should now also see the benefits of this.

"This entire episode has been an embarrassment for Labour - from Anas Sarwar showing how weak he is when it comes to controlling his council leaders, to the councillors themselves bizarrely wanting to punish households in Inverclyde for no reason at all.

"The SNP government is doing everything possible to protect household budgets - I strongly welcome that the SNP's people powered campaign against Labour council tax hikes has ensured that money will now be staying firmly in people's pockets.”