First Minister accused of running away to Paris to avoid income tax vote
NICOLA Sturgeon has been criticised for missing the Holyrood vote which will tonight widen the income tax gap between Scotland and England for the middle class to £1,500.
At exactly the same time only SNP MSPS back the controversial measure in Edinburgh, the First Minister will be more than 500 miles away speaking to politicians in Paris. She is due to address deputies of the National Assembly, the lower house of the French parliament, about Brexit and EU nationals living in the UK.
The Scottish Tories said Ms Sturgeon was “running away” from her unpopular policies.
The row comes ahead of a vote on the Scottish Rate Resolution for 2019/20, a vital part of the Budget process that sets the rates and thresholds for income tax north of the Border.
Under SNP plans, the threshold for the higher rate of income tax will be
frozen at £43,430 while it rises to £50,000 south of the Border from April, an effective tax cut.
The rate will also be 41p in the pound in Scotland but 40p in England and Wales.
It means around 120,000 high earning Scots face an effective marginal tax rate of 53p in 2019/20, leaving them around £130 a month worse off than their English counterparts.
Scottish Tory finance spokesman Murdo Fraser: “Nicola Sturgeon is in Paris when her government widens the income tax gap between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
“It’s understandable that the First Minister is keen to keep her distance from the most unpopular SNP policies. Nicola Sturgeon has broken her promise to the Scottish people and is raising taxes – running away will not fool anyone.”
Ms Sturgeon also visited the US and Canada earlier this month.
Labour MSP James Kelly said: “Nicola Sturgeon has spent more time on business class flights than she has in working class communities lately, and missing the income tax vote to be in France is just the latest example.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “At this time of maximum Brexit uncertainty it is more important than ever that the Scottish Government proactively engage with European and other international partners, and the First Minister’s visit is a vital part of that.”
Ms Sturgeon is expected to take part in the final vote on the Budget on Thursday.
The minority SNP administration struck a deal with the Scottish Greens last month to pass the Budget, giving more money to councils and agreeing to a locally-set tourist tax and workplace parking levy.
However the Greens will abstain on today’s vote as they feel Finance Secretary Derek Mackay didn’t raise taxes enough to fund public services.
Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: “We have a government reluctant to anger right-wing voices by going further on income tax. That’s a misjudgment. We shouldn’t be letting policy on income tax be influenced by the kind of people who are currently losing their grip over car parking.
Mr Mackay said: “Our decisions have resulted in a more progressive tax system, protecting those lower and middle income taxpayers, while raising additional revenue to invest in our public services and the Scottish economy.
“Our policies on tax make Scotland an attractive place to live, work and invest”.