Latest news with #KevinStewart
The National
06-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Anas Sarwar urged to 'come clean' on tax changes in Scotland
The SNP have written to the Scottish Labour leader over comments he made last week signalling his party would seek to bring Scotland's income tax system closer in line with the rest of the UK. In an interview with the Scottish Sun, Sarwar accused SNP ministers of "government by performance" as he suggested he would move to end the tax divergence with the rest of the UK if he becomes first minister. READ MORE: Kate Forbes: Bigger-picture switch is proving key in tackling tourism issues Currently, a majority of Scottish taxpayers pay less income tax than they would elsewhere in the UK. In Scotland, the top rate of tax (45%) comes in at earnings of £75,001, while those reaching £125,140 face a 48% levy. In the rest of the UK, the top rate of tax is 45% and only comes in when earnings reach £125,140. Figures from the Scottish Fiscal Commission suggest that Scotland's tax system generates up to an additional £1.7 billion each year compared to if it had matched the UK Government's policy. The SNP said Labour's plan would risk reversing this additional income and would mean that lower-income Scots would pay more while the wealthiest pay less, resulting in "billions of pounds worth of cuts" from public services to plug the gap. Kevin Stewart MSP (Image: PA) Kevin Stewart, an SNP MSP who sits on Holyrood's Economy Committee, has written to Sarwar to urge him to outline what services he would cut in order to "balance the books". In his letter, he asked Sarwar to clarify his position that those on "very large salaries" should pay less tax, "while also supporting disability benefits cuts". Stewart wrote: 'As you know, a majority of Scots currently pay less income tax than they would if they lived elsewhere in the UK, and Scottish income tax generates well over a billion pounds additional funding to be spent here in Scotland. 'Any changes to the Scottish income tax system puts this at risk – meaning Labour's plans could see the poorest being taxed more, or cutting up to well over a billion pounds from Scottish public services in order to fund these tax cuts. 'Is it really your position that people on very large salaries should pay less income tax in Scotland, while also supporting cuts to disability benefits? 'I am therefore writing to you to ask what spending cuts Labour plan to implement in Scotland in order to bring Scotland's income tax system more in line with the rest of the UK.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (right) pictured with Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Image: Jane Barlow/PA) Sarwar previously backed the UK Government's decision to cut disability benefits, before Labour conceded to rebels and watered down such plans in a last-minute climbdown. Commenting, Stewart told The National that since Labour took office last year, "they have made it their business to balance the books on the backs of the poor, disabled and older people". 'For a Labour politician to claim there is no money to pay for disability benefits while also arguing that very rich people are being taxed too much frankly beggars belief – and shows how out of touch Mr Sarwar is with traditional Labour voters," he said. READ MORE: Protesters stage demonstration inside Reform UK's headquarters 'Mr Sarwar needs to come clean with people in Scotland – if Labour are in power in Scotland, what services would he cut to fund tax cuts for the rich? Will it be free tuition, prescriptions, childcare, bus passes, the baby box – or will he cut ADP [Adult Disability Payment] – Scotland's equivalent of PIP [Personal Independence Payment] - just like his bosses in London wanted to?" Stewart continued: 'The SNP are proud to have introduced progressive taxation in Scotland which ensures those on lower incomes pay a bit less while people on higher incomes pay more – and everybody benefits from the extra investment in public services. 'The truth is, Scottish Labour just want to bring Scotland in line with the rest of the UK regardless of the cost to the Scottish people – only the SNP can be trusted to stand up for a fairer Scotland that the vast majority of people want to live in.' Stewart's comments came as Scottish Government Finance Secretary Shona Robison urged Starmer to look north of the Border for a more progressive tax system to protect public spending. (Image: PA) Robison said that if Labour had followed the Scottish model, they would not be in the "complete fiscal mess that they are in now". She said: 'When Keir Starmer took office, he could have chosen to ask people on higher incomes to pay a little more in tax in order to protect public spending. 'Choosing instead to target the vulnerable is not leadership – frankly, it is political cowardice. READ MORE: More than 20 people arrested at protest in support of Palestine Action 'If Keir Starmer had done in England what the SNP have done in Scotland with taxation, Labour would not be in the complete fiscal mess that they are in now." Robison added that Labour need "a new direction – and they should look to Scotland". She continued: 'Labour used to tell Scotland that we didn't need independence and we just needed to get rid of the Tory government – but the last year has completely demolished that argument. 'No Westminster government will ever deliver the truly fair society which I believe the vast majority of people in Scotland want to live in – and that is why independence is the best future for Scotland.' Scottish Labour's spokesperson for economy, business and fair work, Daniel Johnson MSP, said: "Unlike the SNP, Scottish Labour won't use higher taxes on workers like nurses and firefighters as a substitute for economic growth. 'A Scottish Labour government will grow our economy, end the SNP's addiction to wasting our money and reform our public services so they are fit for the future. 'Next year Scots have the chance to kick out an SNP Government that can't be trusted with our money and take a new direction with Scottish Labour.'
The National
13-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Labour 'wasted' thousands on GB Energy logo blunder, FOI reveals
A Freedom of Information request has revealed £10,710 was spent on the new GB Energy logo – with the SNP accusing the UK Government of not doing its due diligence with regards to the initial design. It was previously reported that the initial logo (below) was a stock image used by a US-based advertising firm. (Image: Canva) The newer version (below), meanwhile, has been designed since – with SNP MSP Kevin Stewart saying it is 'absolutely ridiculous'. (Image: Canva) It comes after The National also revealed that GB Energy formally has no employees. Asked how many people are currently employed by GB Energy, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero responded that it 'does not hold the information you have requested'. 'This is because Great British Energy is currently being established,' it went on. READ MORE: Scottish unemployment rate grows but still below UK average, statistics show 'The company does not formally have 'employees' at this stage.' There is also uncertainty and doubts over how many jobs GB Energy will actually bring to Scotland – or the rest of the UK. For example, GB Energy chair Jurgen Maier admitted last month that Keir Starmer's General Election pledge to create 1000 new energy jobs in Scotland though GB Energy could take as long as '20 years'. 'Labour talked a good game on GB Energy, but with no jobs, no office, and now over 10 grand wasted on a logo – this is yet another example of careless spending and a lack of seriousness when it comes to delivering real energy reform,' Stewart said. 'Tragically, what this really shows is that GB Energy is nothing more than a shopfront for the UK Government, with no substance behind it. 'Once again, Scotland and the North East is being treated as an afterthought by the UK Government – with the full powers of independence, we could create an energy policy which serves Scotland and the people who live here.' A UK Government spokesperson said: 'These claims are false. Great British Energy's logo was designed by our in-house communications team and the only external costs were for legal advice and to trademark the brand – an essential legal process for every new organisation. 'Backed by £8.3 billion over this parliament, Great British Energy has already committed £350 million to help unlock major clean energy projects that will revitalise the UK's industrial heartlands with new jobs, alongside securing Britain's energy supply.'
Press and Journal
13-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
GB Energy spent over £10,000 on new logo after being mocked for 'copying'
GB Energy shelled out more than £10,000 on its new logo after a previous version was mocked for copying one used by a US advertising firm. Aberdeen SNP MSP Kevin Stewart says it is 'ridiculous' the cash was spent after officials failed to check the original version. A Freedom of Information request revealed the UK Government spent £10,710 (plus VAT) on legal and copyright fees surrounding the new GB energy logo. The redesign was unveiled last year after it was revealed the original logo – which included a cartoon lightbulb – appeared to be an inverted version of one used by a New York-based firm. The SNP says the incident is the latest in a 'long line of embarrassments' for Labour's flagship energy policy. GB energy reportedly still has no 'formal employees', and is headquartered in an office already occupied by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The boss of the government-owned energy first previously suggested it could take 20 years to fulfil Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's pre-election pledge of 1,000 jobs in the company. Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart said: 'Labour talked a good game on GB energy, but with no jobs, no office, and now over 10-grand wasted on a logo – this is yet another example of careless spending and a lack of seriousness when it comes to delivering real energy reform. 'Tragically, what this really shows is that GB energy is nothing more than a shopfront for the UK Government, with no substance behind it.' A spokesman for the UK Government's department for energy security and net zero said it was 'false' to say the fees were a result of the first logo. He added: 'Great British Energy's logo was designed by our in-house communications team and the only external costs were for legal advice and to trademark the brand – an essential legal process for every new organisation. 'Backed by £8.3 billion over this parliament, Great British Energy has already committed £350 million to help unlock major clean energy projects that will revitalise the UK's industrial heartlands with new jobs, alongside securing Britain's energy supply.'
Axios
05-05-2025
- Health
- Axios
Philadelphia gets an F on air quality metrics
Philadelphia's air quality is worsening and exposing people to potentially dangerous levels of pollution, per a new report. Why it matters: Air pollution threatens everyone's health — especially children, older people and people with asthma or heart and lung conditions. The big picture: 46% of Americans — just over 156 million people — are living in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, per the American Lung Association's 2025 State of the Air report. Meanwhile, the Philly region ranked poorly among U.S. cities for pollution, per the 2021-2023 data. Zoom in: Philly proper received an F grade for the number of days with high ozone and particle pollution, per the report. The city was one of the few areas that received failing grades for ozone smog and particle pollution. By the numbers: The city had short-term spikes in particle pollution, with an estimated 5.8 unhealthy days per year on average. Last year, Philly received a C. Another measure: The Philly region ranked 43rd-worst in the nation for ozone smog. Threat level: The lung association says that "short-term exposure, such as from peaks or spikes in particle pollution that lasts from hours to days, can kill." Context: The Philly region, per the report, is vast and includes northeastern Maryland, parts of Pennsylvania's Delaware, Berks and Bucks counties, and South Jersey down to Cape May. What they're saying: Philly's ranking was particularly impacted by the 2023 wildfire smoke. But even without the worsening effects of wildfires, Philly had failing grades for air quality conditions, Kevin Stewart, director of environmental health at ALA and co-author of the report, tells Axios. "We know that as climate change has its influence, it will make these [wildfire] events more likely to occur," he said. How it works: The report uses local air quality data to grade and rank locations based on ozone pollution, daily particle pollution and annual particle pollution. Zoom out: California's Los Angeles, Visalia and Bakersfield lead the lung association's new rankings of U.S. metros most affected by ozone pollution.
Press and Journal
28-04-2025
- Press and Journal
Widow of stabbing victim hopes to bring Knife Angel to Aberdeen
An Aberdeen woman who lost her husband in a stabbing attack is calling for the city to host an artwork designed to help combat knife crime. Linda Taylor's husband Keith was murdered in Tillydrone in July 2016 along with her neighbour Tracy Gabriel. Haunted by that loss, Linda recently vowed to use her personal tragedy to help ensure fewer people will be forced to endure the loss of a loved one to violent crime. After calling on the police and government to introduce a viable and ongoing knife surrender scheme to encourage people to ditch potentially deadly weapons, Linda has now turned her attention to Aberdeen City Council. The widow is asking the local authority to launch a bid to host The Knife Angel – a 27ft tall statue designed to help combat knife crime. Her call for action comes just days after a 12-year-old girl was slashed in an alleged knife incident at Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen. Also known as The National Monument Against Violence, The Knife Angel is made from more than 100,000 seized blades from police forces across the UK, some of which have been engraved by those affected by knife crime. The statue has now travelled to more than 50 cities since 2018, spreading awareness and prompting conversation wherever it goes. Linda said she was encouraged to approach the council after learning about the impact seeing a knife sculpture had had on someone she knew. 'I was talking about amnesties and he told me about being taken to see a knife sculpture as a child and how that affected him,' she said. After learning about the Knife Angel, Linda decided she wanted to bring the artwork, along with a knife amnesty bin, to Aberdeen, in memory of her husband. Linda, who has also been speaking to representatives from Police Scotland about using her experiences to educate others on the impact of knife crime, hopes that being confronted by the powerful artwork will help to prompt both conversation and action. She hopes that bringing the artwork to Aberdeen would allow families and schools to visit, creating an opportunity for conversation around the topics of violence and knife crime. 'I think the earlier you start, the better chance you have,' she said, noting that recent events at Hazlehead Academy underline how her mission is more important than ever. 'It is crazy that it is happening in schools,' she said. Asked what effect she hoped the presence of the sculpture might have, Linda said: 'If people see what good can be done instead of using the weapons then you might actually have an impact. 'All those weapons could have been used – now look at how beautiful it is.' Linda has already enlisted the help of Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart and is lobbying the police and council to bring her idea to fruition. Kevin Stewart told the Press and Journal: 'I think it's a great idea to host the Knife Angel statue here in Aberdeen. 'Knife crime has a devastating impact on families and communities and all credit to Linda for using her heartbreaking story to raise awareness and continue conversations. 'I'm fully supportive of this initiative and will continue to engage with Linda and stakeholders to try and make this a reality'. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Knives can have a devastating impact on our communities. 'We take a zero-tolerance approach to offensive weapons and knife crime and are committed to making our communities safer. 'We are working with partners through enforcement and education and will continue to target those who choose to carry weapons. 'We are aware of a potential opportunity for Aberdeen to host the Knife Angel and will liaise with partners.' An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman told us: 'We are in discussions partners as we seek to move forward with a bid.' Linda said: 'Let's make it happen.'
