ROSS WELCOMES UK REVIEW OF TAX ON ARMED FORCES IN SCOTLAND
MORAY MP Douglas Ross has welcomed an announcement made by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson today that is looking to counter the Scottish Nationalist Party’s income tax hike that unfairly hits Armed Forces personnel in Scotland.
The Defence Secretary’s intervention follows the decision by the SNP in Holyrood last month to create new income tax bands and increased tax levels, which will see personnel in Scotland worse off than the rest of the UK.
Commenting, Douglas who has been campaigning on this issue for some time following concerns raised with him by local constituents based in Moray at RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks said: “Our servicemen and women make a huge contribution to the communities and the economy of Moray and Scotland. The Scottish Government's decision to make Scotland the most highly taxed part of the UK means they would be penalised for being stationed here.
“It's absolutely right that the UK government take steps to address that and I welcome today’s announcement.”
He added: "It's a relief that the UK Government is taking this approach, but it's one which should never have been required. The nationalists high-tax approach will punish hard work and damage Scotland's economy."
Gavin Williamson said: “The SNP’s tax hike unfairly hits 70 per cent of our brave and loyal service personnel based in Scotland, leaving thousands of them out of pocket. This is wrong.
“I am working to ensure that those who are affected do not feel they are being punished by serving in Scotland. We are urgently reviewing how we can counter this unjustified raid on the pay packets of our Armed Forces.”