Scottish Government policies addressing inequality
Governments policies can narrow or widen income and wealth inequality.
Scottish Government policy
The Scottish National Party (SNP) have been in power in Scotland since 2007. Unlike UK Conservative governments over much of the same period, SNP-led Scottish Governments have given reducing inequality a far higher priority.
One example of Scottish Government policy to reduce inequality would be in terms of its progressive income tax level policy.
Scottish Government taxation policy
From April 2017, the Scottish Government changed the tax policy to have five bands as opposed to the three that the UK Government uses. They can do this as varying taxation is a power devolved to the Scottish Government.
Income tax levels in Scotland from April 2023. (Source: ±«Óătv News)
Band | Earnings | Rate |
Personal allowance | Under ÂŁ12,570 | 0% |
Starter rate | ÂŁ12,571 to ÂŁ14,732 | 19% |
Scottish basic rate | ÂŁ14,733 to ÂŁ25,688 | 20% |
Intermediate rate | ÂŁ25,869 to ÂŁ43,622 | 21% |
Higher rate | ÂŁ43,633 to ÂŁ125,140 | 42% |
Top rate | Over ÂŁ125,140 | 47% |
Band | Personal allowance |
---|---|
Earnings | Under ÂŁ12,570 |
Rate | 0% |
Band | Starter rate |
---|---|
Earnings | ÂŁ12,571 to ÂŁ14,732 |
Rate | 19% |
Band | Scottish basic rate |
---|---|
Earnings | ÂŁ14,733 to ÂŁ25,688 |
Rate | 20% |
Band | Intermediate rate |
---|---|
Earnings | ÂŁ25,869 to ÂŁ43,622 |
Rate | 21% |
Band | Higher rate |
---|---|
Earnings | ÂŁ43,633 to ÂŁ125,140 |
Rate | 42% |
Band | Top rate |
---|---|
Earnings | Over ÂŁ125,140 |
Rate | 47% |
Income tax levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from April 2023. (Source: ±«Óătv News)
Band | Earnings | Rate |
Personal allowance | First ÂŁ12,570 | 0% |
Basic rate | ÂŁ12,571 to ÂŁ50,270 | 20% |
Higher rate | ÂŁ50,270 to ÂŁ125,140 | 40% |
Additional rate | Over ÂŁ125,140 | 45% |
Band | Personal allowance |
---|---|
Earnings | First ÂŁ12,570 |
Rate | 0% |
Band | Basic rate |
---|---|
Earnings | ÂŁ12,571 to ÂŁ50,270 |
Rate | 20% |
Band | Higher rate |
---|---|
Earnings | ÂŁ50,270 to ÂŁ125,140 |
Rate | 40% |
Band | Additional rate |
---|---|
Earnings | Over ÂŁ125,140 |
Rate | 45% |
Progressive taxation in Scotland
When comparing the above two tables, someone living in Scotland on a lower income of about ÂŁ15,000, would pay around ÂŁ21.62 less in income tax than the rest of the UK. However, someone on an income of ÂŁ50,000, would pay ÂŁ1552.48 more in income tax. For the highest earners with a salary of ÂŁ200,000, they would pay ÂŁ4857.88 more in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK.