Ross lobbies for better deal for servicemen and women hit by “Nat Tax”
Moray MP Douglas Ross has lobbied Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson to protect servicemen and servicewomen in Moray from the impact of income tax hikes implemented by the SNP Scottish Government. Douglas met the Defence Secretary at a specially convened meeting with MP for Angus, Kirstene Hair, who also has a major military base in her constituency.
Douglas said: “RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks make an enormous contribution to the economic and community life of Moray. This is planned to increase still further with the entry into service of the P8 Poseidon aircraft at Lossiemouth and more investment at Kinloss. The SNP’s response is to make the people serving at these bases the most highly taxed service personnel in the United Kingdom. I have been contacted by a significant number of local personnel who are concerned about the tax increase which is why I am lobbying the MoD and the Secretary of State to do something about this.
“I have asked the Defence Secretary to examine whether it will be possible to compensate the service personnel for this tax rise which they would not pay if they served south of the border. The SNP are busy driving away investment and jobs from Scotland with their Nat Tax. I do not wish to see this extended to our military personnel as well.
“I was grateful that the Defence Secretary listened to our concerns and I will continue to work with the UK Government to see what can be done to sort this problem caused by the SNP. I will have more meetings with Ministers and am seeking a debate in the House to allow MPs to discuss this important matter for our military personnel in Scotland.”
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L to R Douglas Ross MP, Defence Secretary Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP, Kirstene Hair MP