Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Simon Kirby and Mark Menzies

Wednesday 18th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

4. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on recent changes to its taxation powers.

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Simon Kirby)]

The Scottish Government will take on their first major new tax power from the Scotland Act 2016 in April, enabling them to set rates and thresholds of income tax. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury attended a Joint Exchequer Committee with the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance in November. They discussed ongoing work, and there are regular ongoing discussions.

[Simon Kirby]

May I thank my hon. Friend for his important question? In taking over income tax powers, the Scottish Government now need to account for how they use them, particularly if they plan to make Scotland the highest tax part of the UK.

[Mark Menzies]

Does my hon. Friend agree that the Scottish National party’s plans to tax middle-income families more in Scotland for doing the same job as families in England would bode very, very badly for the Scottish economy?

[Simon Kirby]

The UK Government are doing everything they can to support our economy and boost jobs and growth. Where the Scottish Government now make choices that have a different impact, they will need to explain them to the people of Scotland.