Dumfries and Galloway 4.8% tax rise will "protect services"

People living in Dumfries & Galloway will face a rise of nearly 5% in council tax.

A vote on its budget was decided on Thursday afternoon, with the extra money going towards protecting education spending.

The local authority said the 4.8% increase is to avoid "unnecessary cuts".

"We believe that the public will be prepared to pay this, so long as it is to protect services" said Elaine Murray, the leader of Dumfries and Galloway council.

"We're confident that we can protect education because there's indication about additional money coming over from the Scottish Government to protect education this year, and that wasn't the case last year.

"We are also keen to develop methods of insuring that the condition of our roads are improved."

It comes one day after Scottish Borders Council announced a 5% tax hike in a move that councillors say protects funding for roads, schools and care homes.