MORE than half of voters in Scotland support plans to raise income tax, according to a poll.
The YouGov survey found 54 per cent back Scottish Government proposals for an increase, while 27 per cent were against.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay announced changes to the income tax rates last month which would introduce two new bands and alter existing ones.
The budget proposals for 2018-19 will see the basic rate frozen at 20p, as well as the introduction of a new intermediate rate of 21p, which will kick in after £24,000.
The higher rate and additional rates are also being upped by 1p to 41p and 46p respectively, but the changes - which are still going through Holyrood - offset that with the introduction of a ''Scottish starter rate'' of tax of 19p, which will apply to the first £2,000 of taxable income between £11,850 and £13,850.
If Mackay's budget is passed this year, it will mean people in Scotland earning more than £33,000 will see their income tax payments increase and they will also mean Scots earning more than £26,000 would pay more than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK from April.
The Scottish Government has warned that implementing Tory plans to keep income tax rates the same as the rest of the UK's would mean a cut to public services of £500m next year.
YouGov pollsters for The Times found there was no difference in opinion between age groups in their response to the income tax plans, but more women supported them than men, and even one in four Conservative voters - 24 per cent - were in favour.
Mackay said: “As this poll and others have shown, a majority of Scots support the SNP’s progressive tax reforms that will allow us to invest in our schools and hospitals.
"The SNP is on the side of Scotland’s taxpayers ensuring that 70 per cent pay less and that Scotland has the fairest taxed system in the UK. I hope other parties will now back our tax plans."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel