Scotland's new income tax!

Calyx I don't for a moment think you are lying, and I am shocked that the banding puts them below the average UK wage (depending on which figures you use). I do agree that missing breaks and holidays is wrong, and higher staffing levels are needed. Not sure that the SNP will use any additional monies raised to fund that though, as it will more likely go on their vanity projects and independence campaign.

You did, however, include yourself as being underpaid when you are paid more and can manage, so that was a little incongruous. The ironic thing is that your colleagues may be slightly better off from the tax changes, but you will possibly end up paying more tax depending on where you are in the band.

Let's just see how many more people take tax mitigation measures to avoid paying the extra tax.

cd - oh you're right, that was a shambles. However, it was caused by computer problems (not by ministers actively trying to get out of paying it) and there was a loan system set up to help farmers who were affected. Also the SNP apologised. It's not like they're sanctioning the farmers on purpose.

What 'powers' would they use to sort that out, as you suggest? I wanted to know what powers the scottish government have that they're not using to help the Scottish people, that you keep mentioning. Perhaps in this case it would be keeping us in the EU...oh, wait. Are you saying that farmers and their families are dying because they're not getting this payment on time (even though they can access a loan because of that)? Perhaps leaving the EU is not such a great idea.

But I am getting off the point. I am happy with the new income tax proposals. Also happy about the private schools paying rates since state schools already pay those, as itsall mentioned. And Fairfax, if this results in a large number of children being taken out of the private school system then this isn't all bad, surely - those children will enter the state schools, and their parents will have more money thus not going without. Those parents are invested in their childrens' future and that sort of child going to a state school will raise its standards, isn't that likely? I don't have experience with private schools so I am ready to be told that's rubbish, but the secondary school dd will go to next year is a good state school, has a good reputation, and the area is mixed - poor people and wealthy people all send their kids there.

Given the choice of a doctors job in a hospital do you pick Scotland and be about £1000 a year worse off or England.

The NHS is in a better state here though. Doctor friends on my Facebook feed have all welcomed this as some of the money is set for the NHS.

Fairfax so you think it's fair and equitable that state schools have to pay rates, but private schools don't.

If the money from private school tax change is used to improve the state school system then I don't see the issue. It shouldn't be the case that you get the education your parents can afford but I do understand that after years of underfunding and cuts, the state schools are struggling.

The SNP are also plans to axe charity rates relief on private schools, landing them with a massive rates bill.

Now the reverse snobs might say "what's the problem", seeing it as another tax on the rich but many pupils at theses schools are either of scholarships (full or partial) or have parents who go without so send them there (DH being in this bracket).

It's a very badly thought out policy. Fees will likely rise as a result, placing it outwith the reach of parents on modest means - this will lead to a large number of children being withdrawn and out public school system, which is already crumbling, cannot cope with taking up the slack.

Nyx - they could use their powers to pay the CAP payments to farmers within a year of them being due. Now their failure to do that is killing people.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/23/nicola-sturgeon-apologises-farmers-second-year-eu-subsidy-payment/

Transport is fine, I don’t see what the problem is?

Hahahahahahahahhahahahahha - I might die laughing. Do you actually have to use public transport? Are you deranged?

I really don't think high earners are the ones who necessarily create jobs for others. Trickle down economy hasn't worked so it's good that Scotland is trying something different. As long as they are using the money where they said they would. Raising council tax would be unfair as it hits the low and middle earners the hardest.

I'm all for it. But then I used to.live in Sweden. Common Weal and all that

@AvoidingDM
oMg you could be me writing!
I was going to come back and post but thought what’s the point when Scots people think ooo they’ve put Gaelic on the signs, that’s what we need, the saddo alkies can’t buy cheap booze - that’s solved the Scottish heavy drinking problem
Wee need autonomy- jobs jobs jobs, industry, educated to a world standard. THATs how you reduce drink and poor child rearing not baby boxes and spies.

Who would you recommend we tax? And if you think the SNP are"killing this country", who would you rather have? Conservatives, whose policies are literally killing people?

But your outrage over baby boxes is depressing, really. When you think about the really awful things people do have to worry about.

SNP are killing this country.

How much money have they wasted on baby boxes - seriously who will put their baby to sleep in a cardboard box???
Could you imagine a HV reaction to my baby sleeps in a box or a drawer. There are plenty 2nd hand moses baskets and cribs available for nothing or next to nothing.

Minimum price on alcohol - how to create a grey market with people driving to Asda Carlisle to stock up on cheap drink!

Tax the high earners remember those are the people who create work for other people. Who drive the economy forward and often think work 24 / 7.

Named person - let's spend a fortune on a policy that shares private information against your human rights willy nilly. Seriously do you want your kids school to be informed of your medical issues as it may affect your child's well being (happiness)? Then when the supreme court agrees it's illegal (against human rights) spend more money faffing trying to make it legal.

I used to support them now I have totally turned against them.

CD, use what powers to do what, exactly? They are trying to raise cash to do they can. That article said they were putting systems in place. And? What are they not doing that they could?

Top 30% of earners. Sorry.

I think the district nurses are underpaid and are limited to band 5 although they do management and complex/palliative/extended skill work. No raise for years and well under inflation. Shifts 12 hours with more and more palliative and social work issues than they should be doing. One came in with a broken foot (crutches and in a taxi) as didn't want to let the patients and staff down.

I am band 6, no children, coping fine. The team is not coping and I can't help with bloods and syringe drivers. Money cut year on year and no more 'efficiencies' to cut.

I'm not on food banks yet but my colleagues who work their days off and miss their holidays because of staff shortage are using them.

I am angry and upset about this. They don't get lunch breaks when they should or flexible working even though it's on the contract.

If you want to think this is lying then go ahead. Whatever. I think a small income tax rise on the top 70% of earners in Scotland to get them a rise (under inflation and well overdue) is necessary.

Fuck austerity and driving down costs until people die. Fuck the Tories and Labour who vote with them.

Calyx can you explain how you know you are underpaid? What is your measure of fair payment? I am a public sector worker; I receive a wage which is lower than if (when) I was in the private sector, but I have flexi-time (which is worth far more than a monetary payment when something comes up with the children) and also a (rare in the private sector) final salary pension. I don't consider myself underpaid, just paid with different benefits.

Nyx a whole load of welfare powers

www.heraldscotland.com/news/14885035.SNP_criticised_for_leaving_welfare_powers_with_Whitehall/

Every time you hear someone in the SNP complain about welfare remember they could use their powers at any time.

Iamtheresurrection

I disagree with your post. It is giving me the rage actually. I'm a Physio working with District Nurses and we are understaffed and underpaid and the nurses are past breaking point.

I can't actually say any more without grinding my teeth in anger.

You are of course entitled to your opinion and in the past perhaps what you describe was true. But currently we are in desperate need of a pay rise and staff.

I really want to swear. But I won't.

Sorry everyone else.

To be fair I hate the fucking trams. They started them when I was pregnant with DS1 and I’d had 3 kids with a 7 year gap between eldest and youngest before they bloody finished!

transport is not fine where i am in Central Scotland. Public transport is infrequent and horrendously over priced. Commuting to Edinburgh is a joke - trains overcrowded and often delayed, traffic queues over new bridge even worse than old one. Potholes numerous everywhere. Trams project came in way over time and over budget, just to deliver one line from city to the airport. A9 still not fully re-duelled and delays dreadful.

I don't agree with the increase being used to fund public sector pay increases. There's far too much inefficiency in the public sector that needs to be cut, too many people with a "once I am in I've a job for life" mentality.

I also think they have underestimated the impact this has on companies trying to recruit professional staff. There's not enough suitable Scottish candidates and people from elsewhere are put off by the higher tax versus England.

I’d take the Scottish education system (which could do with improvement) over the shambolic system of academies, free schools and grammars.

Police Scotland was a horrendous idea. Terrible idea, atrocious planning and execution.

The NHS in Scotland is like everywhere else, underfunded and overworked. Until we educate people not to waste resources, and to use it properly there will always be shortfalls. Yes, more funding is needed, I agree. However in the last year the NHS has been incredible for my family with one exception which was down to personality not funding.

Transport is fine, I don’t see what the problem is?

Comparing Scotland to England doesn't mitigate anything, no, but it shows how we are doing compared to a Tory government in charge of the NHS. And comparing to Wales shows how we're doing compared with a labour government. And in both respects Scotland is doing better. What do you suggest we do? Who would you prefer to run the Scottish government who would do things better?

CD, I do not say we are shite! I will say we're not perfect but we're certainly not shite.

What powers are there Scottish government holding but not using? Previously unionists have said 'you have powers over income tax so use them', knowing that's a poisoned chalice. But now the SNP have proposed these new changes. But what powers are you talking about that they could use but aren't? Please tell me.