Higher earners should be taxed more
Income tax should be raised for higher earners in Scotland to support the poorest against the UK government’s welfare cuts.
Campaigners from the Scottish Unemployed Workers Network (SUWN) have launched a petition on the Scottish Parliament website calling on the Scottish Government to make more money available to mitigate against cuts to benefits.
The petition states: “Our government has a political and moral duty to help the poorest in our society, and it can do this by taking more taxes from those with the biggest incomes and land-holdings.
“As if the human case were not enough, spending more on social security also makes sound financial sense as failure to provide help at this stage has major financial as well as human consequences.”
Calling for ministers to raise taxation, the petition states: “Even with the limited devolution that we have, and without full welfare powers or full tax powers, we do have the ability to make more of a difference, and we have the moral duty to use it.”
Sarah Glynn from SUWN told TFN: “There are, rightly, demands for the Scottish Government to mitigate the different cuts that have rained down on us from Westminster, and we are concerned that these should not be set up in competition with each other and with other vital demands on the Scottish Government, such as public sector pay.
“Now that Scotland has some tax levers, our government does have the option to do this by raising more money through progressive taxation. With that option comes the moral responsibility to take action.”
It comes as Scottish Government statistics reveal that more than 42,000 applications for crisis grants were made between 1 April and 30 June - up 11% on last year.
Ministers said the "chaotic roll-out" of Universal Credit was to blame.
Around 68% of applications were successful and a total of 28,825 emergency payments were made in April, May and June - on average £75 each.
Scottish Government statistics reveal that more than 42,000 applications for crisis grants were made between 1 April and 30 June - up 11% on last year.
Ministers said the "chaotic roll-out" of Universal Credit was to blame.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the "vast majority" of grants were given out for other reasons.
The latest Scottish Government report found that 14% of applications for crisis grants were due to delays in benefits payments.
TFN has contacted the Scottish Government for comment.
