Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Taxation

Wednesday 12 February 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Scottish Government on matters of importance, including the Scottish fiscal framework.
  • It is disappointing that Scottish taxpayers who earn more than 27,000 will pay more tax in Scotland than they would in the rest of the UK.
  • For the third consecutive year, more than half of Scottish income tax payers will pay less tax than taxpayers in the UK, with the difference being about 40p per week.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ranil Jayawardena Con
Taxation Scotland
Context

The question arises from the need to understand the UK government's engagement with Scotland regarding tax policies and their impact.

Question

What recent discussions have you had with the Scottish Government on the use of its taxation powers?

Answer from Alister Jack

UK Government Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Scottish Government on matters of importance, including the Scottish fiscal framework. That historic arrangement delivers one of the most powerful and accountable devolved Parliaments in the world, and it is up to the Scottish Government to use those powers wisely further to increase the economic prosperity of Scotland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discussions on taxation powers were not detailed.

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Q2 Ranil Jayawardena Con
Taxation Scotland
Context

Concerns about the Scottish Government making Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK and breaking previous promises.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Scottish Government's decision to make Scotland the highest taxed part of the United Kingdom is not only regrettable but yet another broken SNP promise?

Answer from Alister Jack

It goes without saying that I agree with my hon. Friend, and it is disappointing that Scottish taxpayers who earn more than £27,000 will pay more tax in Scotland than they would in the rest of the UK. Furthermore, taxpayers in Scotland will pay 41% income tax on earnings between £43,500 and £50,000, compared with just 20% in the rest of the UK. A police officer with 10 years' experience—mid-30s; bringing up a family—will pay 21% more tax on earnings between £43,500 and £50,000 in Scotland than they would pay in the rest of the UK.

Answered
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Q3 Marion Fellows SNP
Taxation Scotland
Context

Concerns about UK taxpayers being 'ripped off' while Scottish income tax payers benefit from lower taxes.

Question

Will the Secretary of State acknowledge that for the third consecutive year more than half of Scottish income tax payers will pay less tax than taxpayers in the UK? Will he explain to those UK taxpayers why his Government is ripping them off?

Answer from Alister Jack

That figure about less tax is correct—about 56% of Scots will pay less tax. Before the Scottish nationalists become over-jubilant, I point out that that is the grand amount of 40p per week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The explanation for why UK taxpayers are 'ripped off' was not provided.

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