Review into ‘unjustified’ tax raid on Scotland’s armed forces

Armed forces staff in Scotland could have their salaries topped up to offset the SNP’s income tax hikes, says the defence secretary.

Kirstene Hair, the Scottish Conservative MP for Angus, has been calling for the Ministry of Defence to help out those affected by the changes, which will hit personnel based at Leuchars and RM Condor.

About 8,000 members of the army and navy are set to be affected.

The new tax regime means Scots earning more than £26,000 will have less take-home pay than their English counterparts.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “The SNP’s tax hike unfairly hits 70 per cent of our brave and loyal service personnel based in Scotland, leaving thousands of them out of pocket. This is wrong.

“I am working to ensure that those who are affected do not feel they are being punished by serving in Scotland.

“We are urgently reviewing how we can counter this unjustified raid on the pay packets of our armed forces.”

It is thought a staff sergeant in the Armed Forces would pay an extra £117 a year in Scotland, compared with those based south of the border.

Gavin Williamson.