Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, has described SNP claims that Scots pay less income tax than those south of the border as ‘untrue’.
Analysis of the most recent earnings data by the Scottish Conservatives shows that, because the nationalist government has not increased tax thresholds in line with rising salaries, their boast no longer stacks up.
At the end of last year, the Scottish Government admitted that everyone who earned over £27,850 paid more in income tax here. But, using recently published wage growth data, the Scottish Conservatives have calculated that the average Scot will earn £29,095.50 in 2023, well above this threshold.
Mr Simpson said SNP ministers’ stealth tax rises have finally caught up with them at the detriment of workers in Lanarkshire on relatively modest incomes.
He insisted the SNP must stop making the claim that the majority of Scots pay less tax than people elsewhere in the UK because it is just not true. Indeed, overall, Scotland is the highest taxed part of the UK.
He added that the tax gap between Scotland and the rest of the UK is already a serious problem and any further increase would do untold damage to households in Lanarkshire.
MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson said: “SNP ministers must stop using this claim immediately, as it no longer stands up to scrutiny.
“Failing to increase tax thresholds in line with rising wages, amounts to a tax hike – and these stealth tax rises have finally caught up with them – at the detriment of workers in Lanarkshire.
“The SNP’s claim is simply untrue now – and ministers must admit as much.
“Workers in Lanarkshire and Scotland are already at a disadvantage compared with the rest of the UK because of the higher taxes imposed by the SNP.
“Worryingly, Humza Yousaf – doubtless inspired by the extremist Greens – is talking of widening that gap further. That would deliver another hammer blow to hard-working Scots in the region”.
