Do Scots earning over £33,000 pay more tax than in other parts of UK?published at 20:20 BST
20:20 BST
BBC Scotland: Phil Sim
Anas Sarwar says that “right now people in Scotland, if they earn £33,000 or more, pay more tax than they would in other parts of the UK”.
That’s correct – the exact figure is £33,500 – but it needs context.
Since 2018, the Scottish government has operated what it terms a more “progressive” income tax system, which taxes lower earners a little less, and higher earners quite a bit more.
On top of this, the SNP has long pledged that a majority of Scots will pay less income tax than they would if they lived elsewhere in the UK.
This hasn’t always been delivered, external in practice because it is based on uncertain future forecasts, but this year the Scottish Fiscal Commission estimates 55% of Scots should end up paying less tax.
However the saving for lower earners is at most £40 a year, while rates are much steeper for higher earners.
Someone earning £50,000 in Scotland will pay almost £1,500 more in income tax than if they lived in England – with Scottish ministers arguing this is in return for better-funded public services.