Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie has criticised Reform’s new tax policy, claiming it would deliver major benefits to millionaires ahead of May’s election.
His comments follow the launch of Reform’s proposals to cut income tax, which the party says would put more money back into people’s pockets.
Harvie argued that the biggest gains would go to those at the top of the income scale rather than to ordinary workers.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“It’s no surprise that Reform’s big idea ahead of May’s election is to cut taxes for the richest.
“Their plan would hand huge tax breaks to millionaires, who hit the jackpot while working people pay for it.
“It is also no surprise that Reform’s leader in Scotland, a former Tory donor and unelected Lord, would likely be among those set to benefit the most.
“Reform is a party of the super rich for the super rich and funded by the super rich.
“It’s money that should be spent on our NHS, schools and local services, but instead they would give it back to their rich mates and those who are bankrolling them in the form of tax cuts.
“Any nurses or teachers left after the savage cuts to fund these plans, would get next to nothing, while multi-millionaires get hundreds of thousands in tax breaks.
“The Scottish Greens believe that letting the immense wealth of the super-rich go untaxed is the wrong choice for Scotland.
“That’s why we will always choose strong public investment in our communities and services, and we’re honest about how we’ll pay for it by taxing extreme wealth.
“While Reform plans to cut taxes for the richest, the Scottish Greens have taken action in Parliament to make sure they pay more and protect people on low and middle incomes from the rising cost of living.
“The Scottish Greens are committed to ensuring the wealthiest pay their fair share so working people aren’t left picking up the bill.
“We’ve pressured the Scottish Government to commit to taxing private jets, implementing a mansion tax and ending tax breaks for shooting estates.
“If we want Scotland to thrive and flourish, we need more Greens in Parliament standing up for working people, not a party for millionaires hand picked by the elite in London.
The exchange underlines how tax policy is emerging as a central dividing line in the run up to the election, with parties drawing sharp contrasts over who should pay and who should benefit.
