Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 February 2016
11 Feb 2016 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Rate of Income Tax: Resolution
From the pile of cuts that are proposed in the cabinet secretary’s own backyard.
The cabinet secretary might not listen to me; I understand that. However, a raft of experts, from David Bell to the Institute for Public Policy Research, have told him that he does not need to cut, and that there is a fair alternative. If he will not listen to them, or to me, will he at least listen to those who are being affected by cuts in his own local area?
John Swinney says that he is concerned—of course he is—about the £19 a year that low-paid workers would pay in extra tax. Can he tell me how much extra a year council tenants in his local area will pay as a result of the cuts that his local council has proposed? No, he cannot—there we go. It is £73 a year, so it is the poorest, the youngest and the oldest—indeed, anyone who uses public services—who will suffer because of John Swinney’s refusal to use the powers that he has.
On Radio Scotland—
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-15497, in the name of John Swinney, on the Scottish rate resolution. 17:20
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy (John Swinney)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity today to propose the first ever resolution in respect of the Scottish rate of income tax. This new power represents an important st...
Willie Rennie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD)
LD
I have listened to what I would describe as the cabinet secretary’s very managerial presentation of the issue. This is an historic moment. We have an urgent ...
John Swinney
SNP
I thought that it might be helpful if I shared with Parliament the fact that, when we are changing tax arrangements, we have to ensure that we have the detai...
Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
If it is such “an historic moment”, as Willie Rennie pointed out, why are there no other Liberal Democrats here to share it?
John Swinney
SNP
Not for the first time, Mr Crawford has made a graceful intervention in a parliamentary debate. For the benefit of Mr Rennie’s historical records, I did sa...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
John Swinney
SNP
Oh, well! I am delighted to offer Mr Findlay an opportunity to speak in Parliament. It will be interesting and, no doubt, fruity.
Neil Findlay
Lab
Oh. Come on now, John. “I view the Scottish rate of income tax as a progressive power ... Clearly, people on higher incomes will pay comparatively more than...
John Swinney
SNP
Mr Findlay must spend all his time working out how to sit on the back benches hurling abuse at people left, right and centre. He does not pay attention. Of c...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
Today, this Parliament makes a decision for the first time about the Scottish rate of income tax. Real financial responsibility has come to the Parliament, a...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I will give way in a minute. I have heard extraordinary claims from Scottish National Party members—including Kevin Stewart—in the past few days, denying th...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I remind Ms Baillie that Labour MPs trooped through the lobby in the House of Commons to vote for austerity. She mentioned the status quo, but her backing of...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I simply say to Kevin Stewart that, when the cuts hit his constituents in Aberdeen, they will not be a technicality. When he votes with the Conservatives ton...
John Swinney
SNP
What Jackie Baillie has got there is the work of council officers—Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order.
John Swinney
SNP
The Labour Party guffaws, but that is what is called detailed work. Where is the detail from the Labour Party on implementing its tax proposals? Will we get ...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Do you know what is fascinating about that? It is a typical SNP distraction from the pile of cuts—Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order.
Jackie Baillie
Lab
From the pile of cuts. Look at them! Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order. Let us hear Ms Baillie.
Jackie Baillie
Lab
From the pile of cuts that are proposed in the cabinet secretary’s own backyard. The cabinet secretary might not listen to me; I understand that. However, a...
John Swinney
SNP
Will the member give way?
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I will bring in John Swinney in a minute. On Radio Scotland, he suggested that the poorest would face double the extra tax paid by the richest. Let me just r...
John Swinney
SNP
Jackie Baillie should be able to work that out for herself. The issue—Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear the Deputy First Minister.
John Swinney
SNP
The issue that matters is the impact on the pay packets of individuals, and that impact will be disproportionate on low-paid individuals in society. Can Jack...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I absolutely can, and I suggest that the cabinet secretary calms down, because what I have to say is worth listening to. For the low-paid worker—Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order!