First Minister Humza Yousaf defended Scotland’s higher taxes for the wealthy during a heated debate with Martin Geissler on the BBC, stating he would “make no apology” for the policy.
Yousaf, who was interviewed on the Sunday Show following the SNP’s National Council in Perth, faced questions about Scotland’s tax policy and its potential impact on investment in the country.
In response to Geissler’s query about whether the tax policy was a “disincentive” to investment, Yousaf firmly disagreed, stating, “No I wouldn’t.” He emphasized his support for progressive taxation, defending the decision to implement a new higher-rate income tax bracket for top earners.
Yousaf highlighted the SNP’s commitment to investing in public services and stressed that previous warnings of a mass exodus of people from Scotland due to progressive taxation had not materialized. He cited data from the National Records of Scotland showing net in-migration to Scotland as evidence.
During the interview, Yousaf also asserted the economic benefits of Scottish independence, drawing comparisons with independent nations of similar size in Europe. He argued that independence would provide Scotland with the fiscal levers necessary to navigate global economic challenges.
Geissler raised concerns about potential economic challenges in the first decade of independence, but Yousaf remained confident, stating that having control over fiscal policy from day one of independence would enable Scotland to respond effectively to economic shocks.
Yousaf also pledged to visit every constituency in Scotland during the SNP’s General Election campaign. Additionally, he criticized Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar as “Labour’s branch manager” and urged SNP members to send a message to Scottish Tory MPs that their time is up.
Yousaf’s interview highlighted the SNP’s stance on taxation, the benefits of independence, and its campaign strategy for the upcoming General Election.
