WE WAS ROBBED

PEOPLE in Scotland will be forced to pay more income tax AND endure brutal spending cuts as the SNP government desperately tries to balance the books.

- PAUL HUTCHEON

In yesterday's budget, Finance Minister Shona Robison revealed a series of controversial cuts and extra tax measures. They include: 

●Dragging more middle earners into the 42p higher rate of income tax.

●Failing to increase the Scottish Child Payment to £30, as demanded by campaigners.

●Slashing the housing budget while homelessness emergencies are declared across the country.

Announcing funding for a controversial council tax freeze, which local authorities claim will lead to widespread cuts.

Following the announcement the SNP government was accused of forcing people to "pay more and get less".

Scottish Labour finance spokesman Michael Marra said: "This is a chaotic.

budget from an incompetent government. It will leave ordinary people paying more and getting less in return." Robison has to plug a £1.5billion funding black hole and her package of measures to close the "deficit involved income tax rises and spending cuts.

She confirmed a new "advanced" tax band for better-off people in Scotland earning between £75,000 and £125,140 - with the rate set at 45p. She also backed a rise in the top rate of tax, levied on income above £125,140, from 47 per cent to 48 per cent.

According to the Scottish Fiscal Commission, the 48p rate will raise £8million a year.

These changes mean wealthier people in Scotland will pay significantly more in income tax than their counterparts in England. More will also be dragged into the 42p higher rate, which affects teachers, police officers and NHS workers, after Robison announced the £43,663 threshold would be frozen.