Tories pressure SNP over tax hike plans

Scottish Government urged to stick to promise to implement a freeze

SNP ministers have “absolutely no mandate” to increase the basic rate of income tax, the Tories have said.

The party’s finance spokesman Murdo Fraser MSP challenged the Scottish Government to stick to its 2016 manifesto promise to implement a freeze “to help low and middle income earners”.

He pointed out 65% of Scots voted for parties opposing any increase in the basic rate at the Holyrood election.

Mr Fraser used a parliamentary debate to pressure Finance Secretary Derek Mackay ahead of today’s budget, which is widely expected to include tax rises to fund public services, saying it was about “whether politicians can be trusted to keep their promises”.

He pointed to the 53 times senior SNP figures – including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Mr Mackay – had said the basic rate of income tax should not go up.

“It couldn’t have been clearer, the last thing the SNP were going to do was put up taxes for those on the basic rate and yet, if all the press speculation is to be believed, that is exactly what they are considering,” he said.

“In the Scottish Parliament election last year, the whole question of tax was right at the centre of the debate. Of the parties who stood for election, there were two, ourselves and the SNP, who pledged no increase in the basic rate.

“Between us, our two parties, the tax payers’ alliance of the Scottish Parliament, between us we achieved some 65% of the regional list vote. So 65% of Scots voted for parties opposing any increase in the basic rate of income tax.

“Let’s remember the First Minister is fond of describing the 62% of Scots who voted to remain in the EU referendum last year as ‘an overwhelming majority’.

“On that basis, the 65% who voted against basic rate income tax rises must be an even more overwhelming majority.

“So let us be quite clear, there is absolutely no mandate from the Scottish people for any increase in the basic rate of income tax, however that is brought about.”

Highlighting warnings from the Federation of Small Businesses, Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scottish Retail Consortium, Mr Fraser said the SNP under Ms Sturgeon was “losing the trust of the business community”.

Picture: Getty. Tory finance spokesman Murdo Fraser highlighted that senior SNP figures, including Ms Sturgeon, had said the basic rate of income tax should not go up.