3 godzin temu
One of Scotland's leading businessmen has accused the Scottish government of overtaxing hard-working Scots, saying people are now "squealing" from the burden. Sir Tom Hunter singled out public sector workers earning between £43,500 and £50,000 as particularly hard hit, facing an effective tax rate of 50%.
The East Ayrshire-born philanthropist told PA he considers the current system unfair. «This is nurses, teachers and policemen. I wouldn't call these people particularly wealthy but they're paying half of their income away in tax. I don't think that's fair on them,» Hunter said. The tax burden combines national insurance from Westminster and income tax from Holyrood.
Speaking to PA, Hunter said: «I think we are overtaxed in Scotland and people are now squealing.» He added: «I'm certainly squealing. Not because of my personal income tax, I'll always pay my income tax in Scotland, and I'll go with it. But the general population now, the hard-working people, are being overtaxed.»
Economic Manifesto Proposes Reforms
Hunter released an "Entrepreneurs Manifesto for Scotland" proposing sweeping economic reforms. The plan aims to create 100,000 jobs and add £20.2 billion to the economy through measures including cutting taxes, stripping back regulation, axing quangos, and unlocking energy opportunities.
He called for a «fairer system» where «the tax take goes up, not the tax rate». Hunter urged Scottish political leaders to look to countries like Singapore and Ireland for inspiration on building a successful economy. «That's the sort of Scotland I want to live in,» he said.
The businessman noted that friends have left Scotland due to high taxes. He stated he would not make donations or endorsements ahead of the Holyrood election in May.
Government Defends Tax Decisions
Deputy first minister Kate Forbes responded by highlighting government support for businesses. «Entrepreneurs and start-up companies are the backbone of our economy and the Scottish Government has been working systematically to develop the pipeline of support required to help businesses develop, grow and prosper,» Forbes said.
She cited a 17.9% increase in Scottish start-up businesses in the first half of 2025, while investment deals in Scotland grew by 24% in the first half of 2025 compared to the second half of 2024. The Scottish Budget 2026-27 continues record funding for entrepreneurs and start-ups, she said.
Finance secretary Shona Robison defended the government's approach. «The Scottish Government's tax decisions enable us to deliver higher investment in the NHS and policies like free tuition not available anywhere else in the UK, while ensuring the majority of taxpayers pay less income tax than elsewhere in the UK,» Robison said.
Robison also promoted independence as a solution. «Independence offers Scotland a fresh start, with the powers to raise living standards, grow the economy and shape a fairer, more prosperous future,» she said.
Independence Stance
Hunter addressed the independence question directly. «Everybody says 'Oh, Thomas, you for or against independence?'» he said. «Well look, the way to get independence is through competent government.»
He argued that Scotland has not made enough of its devolved powers. «If the Government had made a success of the powers they have, then you'd be in a strong position to say, 'let's go further',» Hunter said. But he pointed to a lacklustre economy and falling education rankings.
«We would be in a worse economic position if we were an independent nation. That's not a political point of view – that is just arithmetic,» he stated. He suggested proving competent government with current powers first.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
