Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has urged fellow MSPs to back “common sense” proposals that his party have put forward ahead of the Scottish Budget next month.
Leader Russell Findlay has written to SNP First Minister John Swinney setting out plans to reduce income tax, business rates and Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT).
Mr Fraser says that this alternative approach would “start to undo the damage of SNP tax rises” which means anyone earning over £28,000 in Mid Scotland and Fife is paying more in income tax than someone in the rest of the United Kingdom. The Scottish Conservative tax plan means that the current 19p tax rate would now apply to those earning up to £43,662 meaning everyone earning less than £45,000 will pay less than if they lived in the rest of the UK.
He is also backing plans to give 100% rates relief for pubs and restaurants in Mid Scotland and Fife for the next year, while also delivering 40% rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in the region. Mr Fraser also supports the proposals to reduce LBTT to 0% on all residential properties worth up to £250,000, saving house buyers in Mid Scotland and Fife up to £800.
He has urged MSPs from other parties to back the “bold and ambitious common-sense plan” to give families and businesses in Mid Scotland and Fife more freedom over the money they work so hard to earn.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “This common-sense plan will mean a cut in tax for workers, businesses and would-be homeowners across Mid Scotland and Fife.
“It would start to undo the damage of the SNP’s tax rises by cutting income tax, business rates and LBTT. This is an alternative approach to the cosy left-wing consensus in Holyrood which always believes in taking more of taxpayers’ money, while giving people and businesses in the region little in return.
“Hard-pressed taxpayers, businesses and those who aspire to own their own home, deserve to be supported.
“Other local MSPs should show they are on the side of aspirational workers by backing these bold and ambitious common-sense plans which will give people and businesses in Mid Scotland and Fife more freedom over the money they earn.”
