It's time to challenge the rich with much-needed wealth tax
The Scottish Government must take on the super-rich if it is to tackle inequality and fund the public services we all depend on, says Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Ross asked why, despite SNP members voting in favour of wealth taxes at their conference earlier this month, Scottish Government Ministers have repeatedly rejected opportunities to deliver this with the powers they already have
The Scottish Greens have long called for taxes on the very wealthy to fund public services like community centres & libraries and support overstretched key workers in our NHS, schools, and across the public sector.
Ross asked the First Minister:
“Scotland is a monumentally unequal country. There are a small number of people sitting on more wealth than they could spend in a 1000 lifetime, there are about 420 people who own almost half of all our land, but this morning, thousands of children will go to school hungry because of poverty.
“The Scottish Government’s own recent report shows that the richest 2% have more wealth than half the population combined.
“This month SNP members instructed their leadership to begin discussions with the UK Government about wealth taxes, but Scottish Government Ministers have repeatedly rejected opportunities to tax wealth with the powers they already have.
“They rejected proposals to end tax breaks for big landowners. They rejected proposals to end the King’s personal tax exemptions. They rejected proposals to introduce a mansion tax. It’s like they’re just hoping the public won't notice that when push comes to shove, this a Government that doesn’t want to risk upsetting the rich and powerful?
“Can the First Minister name one proposal that he will take forward before the next election to tax wealth in Scotland?”
The First Minister was unable to cite any fresh proposals to tax wealth in Scotland, but stated that he would welcome proposals from the Scottish Greens during upcoming budget talks.