Scottish ministers have opened a consultation on plans for a “mansion tax” on homes worth more than £1 million in Scotland. The draft article you’re working from can simply describe the policy and political reaction in indirect speech, without using any direct quotes.
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The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on plans to introduce new upper council tax bands for homes valued at more than £1 million. The proposals, often referred to as a mansion tax, would see higher annual bills for the most expensive properties from 2028, subject to parliamentary approval.
Under the plan, two additional bands would sit above the current highest band, targeting properties between £1 million and £2 million and those above £2 million. Ministers say the aim is to make council tax fairer by asking households in the most valuable homes to contribute more to help fund local services, with all additional revenue retained by councils.
The government argues that only a small proportion of properties would be affected and that the changes would be designed to avoid sudden, steep increases. It has framed the reforms as part of a wider effort to protect lower and middle‑income households while raising more from wealth tied up in high‑value housing.
Critics in the property and business community have warned that the proposals could dampen confidence in the upper end of the housing market and place pressure on owners who are asset‑rich but cash‑poor. Opposition politicians have also called for detailed impact assessments, questioning whether the narrow focus on the top tier of homes will deliver meaningful budget relief.
Jenny Gilruth, Deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for finance, said: “Our approach to tax is based on fairness – asking the wealthiest among us to contribute a bit more.
“As it stands, some multimillion-pound properties have council tax bills that are not materially different from those faced by people living in far more modest homes.
“Our progressive approach to taxation helps to target investment in economic growth, deliver public services and support cost of living measures not available elsewhere in the UK, such as free tuition, free prescriptions and our plans for a £2 bus fare cap across Scotland.
“Additional revenue raised through these new council tax bands will be retained in full by local government to support the local services communities rely on – unlike the UK Government’s proposals for a similar scheme that are set to be returned to the Treasury.
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“In launching this public consultation, we are keen to hear the views of people and communities right across Scotland.”
The consultation will run over the summer, inviting responses from homeowners, councils, industry bodies and the wider public before legislation is brought forward.
