Tories to offer Scots greater tax powers for rejecting independence

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The Conservatives have offered the Scottish Parliament a promising devolution package with more control over income tax if it rejects independence in the September referendum.

According to the former leader of the House of Lords, Tom Strathclyde’s report into the future of devolution, the Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has called for Holyrood to be given more power to decide Scottish income tax bands and rates.

Ms Davidson has said: “If we win the 2015 general election, or are the largest party, these are the proposals that we are taking to the House of Commons. This is going in our 2015 manifesto.

“I fully support, I advocate, and when I was down in London talking not just to the prime minister but talking to advisers as well, many of whom were incredibly sceptical about this, I was absolutely promoting and championing what we have in here particularly over full flexibility over income tax.”

The report also says a share of VAT receipts from goods sold in Scotland could be assigned to the Edinburgh.

The proposed plans are the latest set of reforms suggested by unionist parties ahead of the independence vote that is to take place on September 18. Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have already set out plans to boost the powers of the Scottish Parliament if they will choose to vote ‘no’ in the referendum.

However, Scottish National Party MSP Annabelle Ewing has responded to the report’s finding by saying independence would provide Scotland the powers it needs to build a fairer society and stronger economy.

‘There isn’t a “more devolved powers” option on the ballot paper – the Tories point-blank refused to include one – which is why Scotland needs to vote Yes to move forward. In 1979, the Tories said vote No for better devolution – and all we got was Margaret Thatcher and 18 years of Tory governments that Scotland rejected.’

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