Hansard

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!