MP welcomes UK Government review into SNP’s tax hike on service personnel based in Scotland
Moray MP Douglas Ross has welcomed an announcement made by Prime Minister Theresa May during PMQs that the UK Government is reviewing steps to mitigate the impact of SNP tax rises on Armed Forces personnel stationed in Scotland.
This could mean service personnel will no longer pay more tax than their colleagues stationed in the rest of the UK.
The review comes after Douglas urged the Defence Secretary to take action and clear up the SNP Government’s failings by compensating those Armed Forces personnel who would have paid higher tax from April.
Douglas and Scottish Conservative colleagues have campaigned on this issue since the tax rises were announced in December, and have met with the Secretary of State for Defence to ask him to take action.
Commenting on the review Douglas said: “Armed Forces personnel across Scotland, including those based in Moray, will welcome the Prime Minister’s comments that the UK Government is taking this issue seriously.
“Our area is home to one of the Royal Air Force’s largest and busiest bases and the Army Barracks at Kinloss, it is a huge shame this political decision by the SNP is going to hit the pockets of so many who do such a specialised job. It is hugely unfair that such skill and talent is being punished by the Nationalists
“Those earning over £26,000 do not deserve this economic hit, especially our hard-working Armed Forces staff who selflessly sacrifice so much for the United Kingdom.
“The proposals passed by the SNP Government in February punish brave service men and women simply because they are based in Scotland.
“We are working constructively with the UK Government to ensure this mess by the SNP is cleared up, and take-home pay in Scotland will remain equal with the rest of the UK.”
“I look forward to learning the UK Government’s next steps in the coming weeks.”