Would the Council Tax rise out of control under Lib Dem policy?

The Lib Dems in the Highlands are calling for the power to set their own Council Tax rates to be restored to Highland Council and Danny Alexander put forward a motion at Westminster to this effect signed by other north Lib Dem MP's. There were claims that the Council Tax would rise by 20% immediately in the Highlands if this were passed. A lot gets lost in the politicking but here is the P&J's take on the situation. And here is Danny's Early Day Motion to the House of Commons in full.

The Courier in calling for a fair deal for the Highlands also seems to be backing calls for Highland Council to be allowed to set its own tax.

'The council tax freeze may sound good, but in fact it is costing the Highlands much needed money. It is also unfair, because the richest people get the biggest benefit. The council tax freeze has given £800 to the wealthiest Scots, but only a few pence a week to the poorest. Like the Tories, the SNP's policy is helping the wealthiest most, while the poorest will be hit hardest by the service cuts Holyrood is imposing at arms length.'

More on the Courier's postition here. Now I wish to disagree with the Courier, many families on modest incomes that struggle to keep their heads above water find that the Council tax is still one of the biggest burdens on their household budgets. The temptation for Highland Council to continually raise the tax would be just too much and the Scottish Government's initiative to freeze the tax protects us all from the Council. There are no easy solutions but further tax on those many thousands of Highlanders who are struggling to keep their own finances afloat is not the answer. Danny Alexander, Charles Kennedy and John Thurso could afford a 20% rise in their council tax, could you? Come on Danny think of another solution please.