How Labour ‘will reform unfair' SNP income tax ‘punishing' Scots on £30k salary

Scottish Sun

23-06-2025

Mr Sarwar has promised to tackle the tax system if his party triumph at next May's Holyrood election
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ANAS Sarwar yesterday pledged to overhaul Scotland's 'unfair' income tax system if he wins power — accusing Nats of 'penalising' strivers for earning more.
The Scottish Labour leader vowed to rip up the current six-band regime and freeze rates should he be elected First Minister in May next year.
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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar vowed to reform the tax system during a visit to the EDF Energy's Torness power station in Dunbar, East Lothian
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Mr Sarwar says the 'unfair' system needs to change and is buoyed by victory in the recent Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election
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Scottish workers on a £30,000 salary pay more than £3,500 more income tax than those in England
He widened his party's message on an income tax shake-up on a visit to a nuclear plant in East Lothian.
The aspiring Holyrood chief told The Scottish Sun: 'As First Minister, I would commit not to raise income tax during the next parliamentary term. And when we can, we'll look to cut it.'
But he failed to confirm if taxes would be slashed within the next five-year parliamentary term — insisting Labour would first work to 'get the economy motoring' and wages rising.
Mr Sarwar added: 'We won't know the scale of the SNP economic incompetence until we get into the books.'
He also promised to lift Nats' block on new nuclear reactors while touring EDF Energy's Torness power station near Dunbar.
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And he pointed out how staff there face digging deeper than counterparts across the border 20 miles away due to Nats' six-band income tax system.
Scots earning more than £30,318 are clobbered for more income tax than employees in England and Wales.
Those here on £45,000 a year are £428 worse off annually, while grafters paid at least £50,000 are hit for £1,528 more.
People on under £30,318 enjoy maximum savings of just £28 a year.
And Mr Sarwar highlighted how 'nurses, police, and those working in our energy industry' were among those 'penalised' as they are classed as higher-rate taxpayers by earning more than £43,000.
Anas Sarwar reacts to Labour's shock win and reveals why voters backed the party
The Labour leader said: 'Many of the people who are paying higher tax are not those with the broadest shoulders.
'They are struggling with the cost of living crisis and are paying a higher level of tax in Scotland.
People feel they pay more and more in Scotland and they get less and less.'
He bemoaned how earnings growth has lagged behind the UK's, while £1.6billion extra raked in through taxes only translates to £600million extra for vital public services due to how Holyrood's funding is calculated.
Mr Sarwar said: 'The system isn't working. It's holding Scotland back and hitting people who want to get on.
"That needs to change.
'My first focus will be on growing our economy, not punishing aspiration.
"I'm looking hard at the system — top to bottom — because it's clear it's failing.
'It's not rewarding effort, it's not driving growth and it's not fair.'
He added: 'We need a tax system that supports working people, not one that penalises them for earning a bit more or trying to do better.
'We need a system that works for Scotland — one that encourages ambition and supports success, not one that puts up barriers.'