Mr Beattie ridiculed Ms Brankin's comments in last week's Advertiser on local income tax and blasted Mr Hamilton for voting for the abolition of the 10p income tax rate.

"Clearly Ms Brankin has only a feeble grasp of finance when she states that families in Midlothian would pay 5p in the pound more under the SNP's scheme for a local income tax" he stated.

Labour, and particularly Ms Brankin, need to clean up their act and understand that constantly throwing out improbable scare stories just doesn't work any more.

Ability

"One year into an SNP Government and people know that promises are being delivered with road tolls scrapped, prescription charges slashed and soon to be abolished, major infrastructure projects approved, care packages better funded, small business rates cut and many more benefits for business and those on low income.

"We will also deliver on a local income tax based on ability to pay and capped at 3 pence for the highest payers.

"The hated council tax will be abolished and a fair system substituted.

"Only the Labour Party is fighting a rearguard action against this happening.

"Perhaps well heeled Labour politicians fear they may have to pay more?"

Residents

Mr Beattie went on: "The abolition of the 10p tax band will result in families in Midlothian who earn less than £18,500 per annum paying up to £250 per annum more in tax.

"Considering that the average family income in Midlothian is less than £18,500 the impact across our less well off residents is totally unacceptable.

"Our local MP, David Hamilton, voted for this tax.

"I wonder if that vote had anything to do with the fact that MPs will be £300 per annum better off under the new tax regime?

"Now he wrings his hands and says it was a mistake and needs rectified."