Scottish Greens bring vote to support Amazon Tax
The call will be made through a Scottish Greens amendment to a Scottish Government debate on fair, progressive and sustainable taxation.
An Amazon tax would see large, predominantly online-based retail businesses paying more through the rates system, while helping to support small independent businesses and high streets across Scotland.
Scottish Greens Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Transport and Tourism, Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“Scotland has some fantastic small businesses, which are of huge value to our communities, but too many of them are being forced to compete on an uneven playing field.
“Huge global online retailers have made enormous profits while our high streets have been hollowed out and local businesses pushed to the brink.
“This is a chance for MSPs from all parties to show that they are serious about backing Scotland’s high streets, supporting local jobs and making sure that global giants pay their fair share.
“For years, companies like Amazon have taken more and more from our economy and our communities while giving far too little back. They have contributed to the decline of local high streets, piled pressure onto smaller retailers and sucked wealth out of towns and cities across Scotland.
“The Scottish Greens’ Amazon Tax is about rebalancing that. It is about making sure the tax system is fair, progressive and fit for the future.
“That means shifting the burden away from working people and smaller businesses, and onto those causing the greatest economic harm.
“Our high streets are not just rows of shops. When they thrive, they are what makes each community unique and vibrant. They provide local jobs, support independent businesses and make our towns and neighbourhoods better places to live. But in far too many places they’ve been up against impossible competition.”
Patrick added:
“Fair taxation is not just about raising revenue. It is about the kind of economy we want to build.
“We welcome progress on a private jet tax and a mansion tax, but there is far more that can and should be done. Progressive reform of property tax could play a powerful role in wealth taxation, and it would be totally indefensible for Council Tax valuations to be allowed to reach 40 years out of date, which will happen by the end of the current session of Parliament unless we act.
“People across Scotland are facing rising costs, struggling public services and hollowed-out town centres. The least we should expect is a tax system that works for communities, not just for the wealthiest people and the biggest corporations.”