I would much rather spend it on my son

Parents of the children enjoying the Playzone soft play centre in Inshes, Inverness, were happy to chat about paying tax.

Many of them are less happy about paying more and few seem convinced that politicians could translate more tax cash into better public services.

Donna Matheson, 28, works parttime as a personal trainer and a lifeguard when she’s not looking after her 18-month-old son Cruze at home in Invergordon.

“I don’t feel like our services are atrocious,” she said. “I used to live in London and things like the roads are a world apart compared to the way they are up here.

“If it was a choice of paying an extra £100 a month in taxes that went towards better services and keeping it as it is now, I’m happy enough with things to say I’d keep it as it is.

“I’d much rather spend that money on my son.”

Couple Kayleigh Toward, 22, and Liam Hay, 23, are looking at buying a house to raise their 11-month-old daughter Madisyn-Grace in.

The pair are both working, Kayleigh in a care home and Liam as a chef, but feel it would be unfair asking them to shell out more money in tax.

“We already feel like we pay a fair bit between us as it is,” said Kayleigh. “Neither of us drive so we rely on public transport and that can be pretty bad.

“It would be great if that was improved but paying extra tax without any guarantee of what it will be spent on? I’m not sure.”