Scottish wealth figures show vast unfairness

In response, Roz Foyer from the Scottish Trades Union Congress, on behalf of Tax Justice Scotland said:

“These figures show the vast scale of unfairness in Scotland today. Whilst those at the top accumulate more wealth, more than one in five children grow up in poverty and our public services are starved of the investment they urgently need. This cannot go on.

“We need urgent tax reform to help share wealth more fairly and to distribute resources right across the country. Over time, public finance pressures mean that most of us may need to pay a bit more, but this data makes clear this must start with those at the very top.

“In Scotland, that means parties must set out clear plans to scrap Council Tax and replace it with a fairer, modern property tax. At the UK level, we also need common-sense wealth taxes that ensure the richest pay their fair share.

“It’s time for our political leaders to step up with serious tax plans to help close this growing wealth gap and to invest in creating a fairer, more prosperous future for all of us.”

ENDS

For more information, please contact media@stuc.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• Find out more about Tax Justice Scotland: https://taxjustice.scot/
• You can read the full release from the Scottish Government here: https://www.gov.scot/news/wealth-inequality-remains-high/
• Tax Justice Scotland is supported by over 50 diverse organisations, academics and economists. It campaigns for a fairer tax system in Scotland, across the UK, and globally that delivers for people, public services, and the planet.
• Read Tax Justice Scotland’s briefing, Outdated and Unfair: The Case for Council Tax Reform here.
• Read Tax Justice UK’s analysis of how the UK Government could raise £60 billion from 10 tax reforms, including a net wealth tax here.