Tax cuts plea after Mackay shares ‘stale’ economic plan

FINANCE Secretary derek Mackay has been urged to give hard-working Scots a tax cut after being criticised over his ‘lack of vision’ for the economy.

yesterday, he published a new economic action plan and promised it would give Scotland a much-needed financial and productivity boost.

But critics claim the proposals lack ambition, with ‘no new policies or even targets’ for economic performance.

Mr Mackay will unveil his draft Budget on december 12 and political opponents are already setting out their demands.

he said yesterday that his door ‘is open to any party’ as he must secure a deal with at least one of them to pass the Budget.

the Conservatives have already offered their support but have demanded the SNP Government drop its threats of a second independence referendum before 2021.

the tories also want Mr Mackay to ditch any plans for further tax rises.

Scottish Conservative economy spokesman dean lockhart said: ‘the announcement from the SNP highlights a total lack of vision with no new policies or even

‘Lack of vision for the economy’

targets for Scotland’s economic performance. It is not surprising that Scotland’s economy has grown at half the rate of the UK economy under 11 years of SNP.

‘this is further evidence of a tired and stale SNP Government which has run out of ideas.’

Mr lockhart added: ‘the SNP can easily use the levers they already have to implement a competitive tax regime. Instead of doing that, they have made Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK.

‘this plan should be examining cutting taxes in various areas to boost the economy.’

the Conservatives also want air passenger duty cut by 50 per cent, the large business supplement brought in line with the rest of the UK, and consideration of an ‘amazon tax’ on online giants.

the 2018 Budget brought income tax rises which mean Scots earning more than £26,000 pay more than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK. In a double whammy, Scots were also hit with a 3 per cent rise in council tax.

Mr Mackay said: ‘My door is open to any party as a minority government to ensure that the Budget gets through.’