A MOTION calling for tax increases on Scotland’s richest through a "realistic" exploration of a wealth tax has passed at the SNP conference.
The resolution, which was proposed by the SNP trade union group, passed almost unanimously on Saturday afternoon.
It called on the party to make practical moves to:
- Increase the tax contribution of higher earners across Scotland
- Explore realistic options for a wealth tax
- Grant local authorities the power and discretion to introduce taxes which appropriately meet local needs and protect local services
- Engage positively with the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) on its proposals for generating more revenue to tackle poverty and inequality
The motion received endorsement from the STUC’s general secretary, Roz Foyer (below), who told the Sunday National ahead of the debate: “Given the amount of cuts we've seen, particularly in recent weeks, and the real fiscal challenges that the Scottish Government is facing, they're in a very unenviable position.
“The Government is at a crossroads, and they really do need to choose. Are they going to follow an austerity cuts agenda and continue to accept what they're getting from the UK level, or are they going to take a different path, and try and follow perhaps a more Scandinavian-style model and emulate some of the countries that they might wish to be like in the future, should Scotland gain independence?
“The key message that I would say is you just can't have Scandinavian-style public services on American-style taxes. It's an impossible dream."
She continued: “We are tireless at the STUC in lobbying the Scottish Government about our views on how you create fair, sustainable growth in our economy, how you redistribute wealth in our economy, how you invest in our public services to create growth and create the sort of wellbeing economy that we all want to see.
“We've certainly laid out for the Scottish Government, you know, a number of things we'd like to see in that Programme for Government that's just coming up for them to change direction on this.”
Addressing the SNP conference on Saturday, Simon Barrow, secretary of the SNP trade union group, said: “[This motion] is about the creative use of the limited tax and revenue powers we have under devolution.
“Labour at Westminster are a massive part of the problem. But blaming them is not enough. Our own words have to be matched by actions. We have to do everything within our limited, devolved power to deliver for the people of Scotland, not just tomorrow but now.”
Barrow continued: “This motion is not about increasing the taxes of lower- and middle-income earners.
“It’s about revenue from wealth and assets - including land and buildings - in the hands of the wealthiest, those who by definition can afford to pay a bit more, to contribute their fair share so that we can all prosper together.”
After the motion was passed, Barrow told the Sunday National: “I think conference passing this motion almost unanimously shows that the SNP are willing to engage seriously with the trade union movement across Scotland, and that is a hugely important move.
“The trade union group within the SNP, the party’s largest affiliate, is looking forward to the opportunity to engage further with our party leadership, with government, with the STUC, with Common Weal and with others who share the same objectives about achieving the maximum we can with devolved powers, while seriously understanding that Scotland needs far more powers in order to chart a different path to Labour-led austerity.”
