No income tax hikes for five years, says Sarwar – Daily Business

Anas Sarwar: Scots are paying more but getting less (pic: DB Media Services)

Anas Sarwar today pledged that a Scottish Labour government will not raise income tax in the next parliament.

The party leader accused the SNP of breaking a promise In 2021 to freeze income tax rates and bands.

“Instead, more than a million Scots now pay more income tax than they would elsewhere in the UK.,” he said. “Everyone earning £33,500 or more is paying more, including nurses, teachers and police officers.

“Someone earning £45,000 now pays around £400 more, while someone on £50,000 pays around £1,500 more. Meanwhile, the maximum saving anyone gets from the SNP’s system is just £40 a year.”

Mr Sarwar added that “Scots are paying more, but Scotland is still falling behind because the SNP has failed to grow the economy.”

He said SNP leader and First Minister has been at the heart of the SNP’s fiscal policy for 19 years, “and the result is a low-growth, low-pay economy where hard working Scots are asked to pay more and more while public services still struggle and family finances are stretched to breaking point. 

“A Scottish Labour government will not raise income tax during the next parliamentary term. Its ambition is to cut tax over the course of the parliament when growth allows, starting with those facing the highest marginal tax rates.

“Scottish Labour says that means getting the basics right, ending waste and delivering the growth Scotland needs.”

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