SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 08/09/05

Scottish Socialist Party MSP Tommy Sheridan today said that it was “acutely embarrassing” that members of the Local Government and Transport Committee who were taking evidence on the Council Tax Abolition and Service Tax Introduction (Scotland) Bill did not understand the basic principles of progressive taxation.
Tommy was speaking after a meeting of the committee in which Michael McMahon, MSP for Hamilton North and Bellshill, read figures from a document in relation to tax rates under the SSP’s Scottish Service Tax proposal which were completely incorrect.
Whoever had prepared the document seemed unaware that under the SST proposal the first £10,000 of income earned would be except from tax; a basic principle of any progressive taxation system.

Tommy said tonight;
“It is acutely embarrassing that MSP’s sitting on a committee which scrutinises legislation do not understand basic progressive taxation.
“It is vital that the public have confidence in the proper scrutiny of legislation and I welcome detailed analysis of the Bill I have put forward to abolish the Council Tax and replace it with a Scottish Service Tax.
“What is not welcome is ill informed and plain ignorant criticism based on party political bias.
“I suggest Mr McMahon do his homework before the next round of evidence instead of relying on crib sheets prepared by New Labour spin doctors who are out of their depth when it comes to local government finance.”
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