Scottish Greens Call on John Swinney to Maximise Devolution for Budget Tax Hikes
The Scottish Greens are pressing for a range of tax increases to be included in John Swinney’s upcoming Budget to boost funding for public services. In a bid to push devolution to its limits, the Greens are proposing additional levies on private jets, supermarkets, and cruise ships. Despite tensions between the SNP and the Greens earlier this year when the latter was ousted from the government, the Greens remain a potential ally for Swinney as he prepares to unveil his draft Budget in December. While income tax rates in Scotland are already higher than in England, the Greens are not advocating for further increases in this area.
During a pre-Budget debate this week, the Greens will call on Swinney to utilise all available tax powers to address any potential budget shortfalls. Their motion will highlight the need for exploring the extension of existing tax powers, such as higher business rates for supermarkets selling tobacco and alcohol, and granting councils the authority to impose a levy on polluting cruise ships. Green MSP Ross Greer emphasised the importance of leveraging Scotland’s fiscal powers to safeguard both people and the environment.
Greer pointed out that while Scotland’s finances have been impacted by cuts from Westminster, the Scottish Government still has options to protect its interests within the framework of devolution. The Greens have a track record of collaborating with the SNP on progressive budgets that have allocated additional funds to essential services like the NHS. By making bold decisions, such as adjusting tax policies for higher earners and property owners, the Greens believe that Scotland can address challenges like child poverty and climate change effectively. Greer stressed that blaming Westminster for current difficulties is insufficient and that proactive decision-making is necessary for progress.
The Greens’ stance on potential tax hikes comes amid concerns within the SNP about the Budget’s outlook, with speculation arising that a failure to secure a deal could trigger an early election. If the Greens do not reach an agreement with Swinney, the focus may shift to the Liberal Democrats for support. The upcoming Budget debate is set to be a pivotal moment in determining the fiscal direction of Scotland and the extent to which devolution can be maximised for the benefit of the country.