IT seems that the courage of its convictions has deserted the Scottish National Party. Instead of sticking to its “principles”, the SNP has fudged them and produced a budget that simply raises less than it needed whilst still punishing those on slightly higher incomes.
The SNP has failed to be decisive and this highlights its inability to assess not only the mood of the country but also its welfare. It claims it wants to increase productivity and encourage investment. This Budget just does not do that.
Its inexperience shows as it has tried to be very clever with new bands but the end result is that the SNP will only raise £164 million extra in revenue and very possibly a lot less. This is a far cry from the anticipated £290 million figure mooted. The Government has also created a new problem by offering a three per cent public sector pay rise for some but much less for others further up the scale.
Yet their taxes will rise higher, hence making Scotland even more divided. Senior staff in all the professions will be affected and we must expect unfilled vacancies in the higher paid posts to rise. This is counter productive.
Dr Gerald Edwards,
Broom Road, Glasgow.
THE draft SNP Scottish Budget is deeply cynical. The party apparatchiks and psephologists have studied the nation’s demographics to ensure that the bulk of their independence supporters will pay less tax whereas the bulk of Union supporters will pay more tax.
In the short term this fiscal manipulation will prove disastrous to our business growth, the retention of the professional classes and entrepreneurial activity.
Roll on 2021 and the next Holyrood elections when we can rid ourselves of this destructive and self serving Government.
Dr Richard Marsh,
Bellabeg House,
Strathdon, Aberdeenshire.
NOT content with taxing people higher than elsewhere in the UK, the SNP Government now tries to kid us on by introducing a 19p tax rate. This will only benefit taxpayers to the tune of £20 per year while the introduction of an intermediate rate will hit more people than before.
Is this Government determined to suck every penny out of hard working people to support its vanity projects?
Gordon Blackwell,
10 Valeview Terrace,
Glasgow.
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