Professor John Robertson OBA
The Telegraph, above, plotting the downfall of the SNP with the politics of meanness.
The Scottish Government is consulting with local councils on introducing a new council tax band for the most expensive homes.
Expect a hysterical reaction as Anas Sarwar and his mum both rage against their houses being included.
Most of us, I’m sure recognise another progressive initiative from the SNP in Government to gradually work away at the inequality which so damages life for everyone, including the rich.
We had to defend Scotland’s modest attempts in this regard, earlier this year:
We’ve recently had Tom Hunter, City of London representatives and the IFS calling for reduced income taxes in Scotland. These have been widely reported but Scottish Government responses have seen little light.
From Income tax and First Minister meeting with City of London Corporation correspondence: FOI release, published yesterday, selected responses from a very long set:
Our tax policies are grounded in evidence and carefully balance the need to raise revenue with the impacts on taxpayers and the economy. The evidence continues to suggest that our policy approach raises significant additional revenue for investment in vital public services.
Our tax base continues to grow strongly, with data from the RTI PAYE system showing Scotland experienced faster earnings and tax per head growth than the rest of the UK in both 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Tax policy choices since devolution, will raise an additional £1.5 billion in 2024-25, compared to if we had matched UK Government policy.
People from the rest of the UK are coming to Scotland, not leaving it. Over 45,000 people of working age came to Scotland in 2021, with net in-migration at just over 5,000. People base their decisions on where to live and work on a wide range of factors. Those who call Scotland home enjoy a range of support not available throughout the UK such as free university tuition and free prescriptions.
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Good grief, if that is the standard of journalism at the Telegraph these days, Noah Eastwood will go far, once he’s beyond the U-bend…
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What happened to replacing Council Tax?
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if you were spending most of your day fighting off attacks from the British Establishment and their Rottweiler press and BBC I expect you’d struggle to get your work done too.
with a tiny brand new flat in Edinburgh yet paying council tax in the second from top band I want to see some higher bands. Perhaps it’s time for re-valuations too? Still, I know they’re busy.
John Lawson
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