Sarwar: I’ll make sure low earners pay less

LOW earners would pay less tax under bold plans Anas Sarwar hopes will secure him the job as Scottish Labour leader. The MSP said a new lower 15p rate would be worth £235 a year for workers on the so-called “real living wage” of £8.45 an hour. Changes to bands would mean anyone below the average Scottish wage of £28,000 would pay less income tax than they do now. Sarwar, in a policy speech in Edinburgh yesterday, also called for a tax raid on the wealthiest two per cent with a new 50p top rate set at £100,000. The plans would raise nearly £700million if adopted in 2018-19.

The plan is a clear challenge to Nicola Sturgeon, who has called on all parties to put forward progressive policies for consideration.

Sarwar said: “I don’t believe we can rescue our NHS and schools on the backs of the poorest.

“Never, ever, believe Nicola Sturgeon when she claims she believes in progressive taxation.

“I will show her what progressive taxation looks like. In fact, she would notice it in her own pay packet.

“It’s a fundamental principle of the Labour Party to support the redistribution of wealth.”

The tax overhaul goes further than existing Scottish Labour policy and is similar to Green party proposals.

Someone earning below the Scottish average would gain £10.

People on £35,000 would pay £200 more a year, while the First Minister would pay £7690 more from her £151,271 wage.

Sarwar tried to put clear water between his campaign and that of rival Richard Leonard, who is seen as the more left-wing candidate.

A spokesman for Leonard said: “The devil is always in the detail and Anas’s plans outlined in his booklet are pretty light on many details.

“Most of his proposals simply do not go far enough to help people in their everyday lives.”