Finance (Income Tax)

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 20 September 2017.

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Photo of Dean Lockhart Dean Lockhart Conservative

It has been an interesting and, at times, entertaining debate. From the Conservative side of the chamber, we have watched the other parties clambering over each other to declare their high-tax, left-wing credentials. From Labour, we heard from the Corbynites. They want to increase tax for everyone. From the SNP, we heard from the Corbyn lites. We all know that they want to increase tax, but they will not come off the fence to admit it.

That is what has been remarkable about the debate: every party, except for the SNP Government, has explained its income tax policy. Alex Rowley made it clear that Labour wants to increase income tax for everyone who earns over £11,500, which is a tax increase for more than 2.5 million people in Scotland, and to raise the top rate to 50 pence.