Publishing a detailed paper on possible tax options, Sturgeon said tax rises were needed to protect public services because UK government budget cuts and the economic costs of Brexit would “significantly worsen” her government’s finances. Scotland spends £1,460 more per head on public services than the UK average, funded in part by UK taxpayers. After the 2014 independence referendum, the Scottish parliament won almost complete control over income tax and must now set its own bands and rates. Sturgeon said at least one of those parties had to compromise to ensure the budget passed, and that they must accept tax rises needed to be moderate and fair. The extent of tax rises in Scotland will hinge in part on budget decisions by the UK chancellor, Phillip Hammond, later this month.

Source: The Guardian November 02, 2017 13:30 UTC