Scottish First Minister John Swinney has sparked controversy by denying his government broke a key manifesto promise on income tax rises, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
The Manifesto Promise Versus Reality
During a recent press encounter, Swinney displayed what observers described as 'pained bewilderment' when questioned about the Scottish National Party's broken tax pledge. The 2021 SNP manifesto explicitly stated the party would not 'raise income tax or bands', yet the Scottish government proceeded to increase the higher rate to 42p and the top rate to 47p in 2023-24.
The First Minister insisted: 'I'm not conscious that we're breaking a manifesto promise on income tax' and maintained that the government's actions weren't 'out of kilter' with their 2021 commitments. This response drew immediate criticism from opposition parties, with Tory MSP Craig Hoy accusing the government of 'flagrantly lying in parliament'.
Financial Consequences and Public Impact
The tax increases have yielded disappointing results according to recent analysis. A damning report from spending watchdogs revealed that Scotland's higher income tax rates will generate an extra £1.7 billion, but the actual benefit to the Scottish budget is only £616 million.
This leaves a staggering £1 billion shortfall attributed to Scotland's lower earnings and employment growth compared to the rest of the UK. Professor Alex Trew, an economist at Glasgow University, warns that the tax gap with England represents 'one of the most egregious distortions of devolution' that discourages productivity and ambition among higher earners.
Political Fallout and Future Implications
The controversy comes amid signs of internal confusion within the Scottish government regarding future tax policy. On October 29, Swinney ruled out further tax increases after polls showed fewer than one in four Scots willing to pay more. However, by November 4, Finance Secretary Shona Robison suggested Scots families face the growing threat of another financial raid if ministerial funding is cut.
The situation mirrors challenges faced by the UK Labour government, which also retreated from potential income tax increases after realizing the political consequences of breaking tax pledges. As Swinney attempts to rewrite history regarding the SNP's tax record, voters are left questioning whether the additional revenue has delivered promised improvements to public services, particularly the NHS.
With Scottish taxpayers feeling the pinch of the most punitive tax rates in the UK, and waiting lists remaining stubbornly high, the First Minister's denial of broken promises raises serious questions about transparency and accountability in Scottish governance.
