The SNP Government have broken yet another clear manifesto promise and hiked income tax on the over one million Scots who earn over £26,000. They have taken this decision against expert and business advice and at a time when our economy is lagging behind the rest of the UK and our international competitors.

Over one million Scots, everyone earning over £26,000, will pay higher taxes than if they lived in the rest of the UK. The maximum that anyone will save from the introduction of the SNP’s starter rate is £20 which is just 38p per week.

Rather than increasing taxes, the separatists should be looking to grow Scotland’s economy, so that we have the revenue to fund our crumbling infrastructure, schools and hospitals for the long term.

While the SNP and the other parties continue to compete with each other on who can increase taxes more, it is clear that only the Scottish Conservatives can be trusted to stand up for the pay packets of ordinary workers.

Cllr Alastair Redman