With power comes great responsibility

It was the week’s worst kept secret, so there was very little palpable sense of shock when Finance Secretary Derek Mackay outlined plans to raise income tax for higher earners during yesterday’s Scottish budget.

Despite pledging most Scots would pay less income tax next year, those on higher wages will be hit hard.

The system will, Mr Mackay claimed, make “Scotland’s income tax system even fairer and more progressive”.

In the event, it was actually less of a change than many had anticipated.

Plans to bring back the 50p top rate were apparently dropped at the eleventh hour after the Government’s chief economist warned it could actually result in lost revenue for the Scottish Government, with the highest earners choosing to reside elsewhere.

Away from the headline grabbing tax changes there were other measures worthy of note – significant broadband investment and the lifting of the public sector pay freeze among them.

However, there were warnings of a “real terms cut to local councils” – something that will only realistically be overcome if there are hefty council tax increases.

It may not have been a budget of surprises, but it was nevertheless one that saw the SNP flex its muscles in terms of devolved powers more than ever before.

It will be fascinating indeed to see how Scots react to the use of such powers.