THE average Scottish household will pay less for council tax and water than those in England and Wales this year, research has shown.

Council tax in Scotland will remain at £1417 a year for the average household as a result of the Scottish Government’s freeze, but in England and Wales people in the Band D bracket will be hit with increases of 5.1% and 7.7% respectively.

In Wales, the average council tax for a Band D property is £2024 – 35% higher than in Scotland - and in England it is £2171, a difference of 42%.

Research compiled by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre for the SNP has also found Scottish households will pay less for water, with the average annual water bill to cost £444 in Scotland, and £473 in England and Wales.

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And while NHS dental check-ups and prescriptions are free for Scots, people in England and Wales face an increased £26.80 for dental examinations and £9.65 for prescriptions.

Overall, excluding dental examination and prescription costs, the average household in Scotland pays £783 less per year than the average household in England, and £636 than their equivalent in Wales.

However, David Linden, the party’s social justice spokesperson, said Scotland can “only go so far” in its bid to keep money in people’s pockets while it does not have independence.

He said: “The SNP Scottish Government has been doing what it can to keep money in people’s pockets and invest in public services during 14 years of imposed Tory austerity, Brexit and Westminster’s cost of living crisis.

“Through the council tax freeze and a publicly-owned water company, Scots pay up to £780 less than residents in England and Wales.

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“This is on top of free university tuition, free prescriptions, free baby boxes, free dental check-ups and seven welfare payments that are unique to Scotland, including the Scottish Child Payment. These are Scotland’s values.

“However, whilst we remain under Westminster control Scotland can only go so far - and shockingly that will remain true under a Labour government, given Sir Keir Starmer has signed up to Tory tax and spending plans, U-turned on renegotiating Brexit and refused to give the Scottish Parliament any more powers.

“Until Scotland becomes independent it is important we have a strong team of SNP MPs at Westminster making Scotland’s voice and values heard.”

Last month it emerged all local authorities in Scotland looked set to adopt the council tax freeze after some initial wranglings.

Argyll and Bute and Inverclyde had both initially announced a 10% and 8.2% hike respectively.

Inverclyde has now agreed to freeze council tax with Argyll and Bute set to vote on the matter again next Tuesday (April 15).