SNP 'terrible with public money' claims Anas Sarwar as Labour leader slams tax rises

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Anas Sarwar has accused SNP ministers of being "terrible with public money" as Labour tries to win over Scots unhappy at paying more tax while public services struggle.Changes to personal taxation in Scotland announced at last year's Budget came into force on April 1 and saw the creation of a new tax band of 45p for those on salaries of between £75,000 and £125,140.The top rate of tax - levied on earnings above £125,140 - increased by one penny to 48p.Previous increases mean all workers in Scotland earning over £28,000 a year pay more than elsewhere in the UK.SNP and Green ministers remain confident that most Scots are happy to pay more to help protect public services already struggling to meet demand.But Scottish Labour believes it can take advantage of discontent among voters on the tax issue ahead of this year's general election.Sarwar spoke to the Record while campaigning in East Renfewshire, an SNP-held constituency Labour believes it can retake.Asked if his party was chasing votes from middle class Scots, he said: "We are the party of aspiration.

We are a pro-worker, pro business, pro-growth party."The SNP want to pretend it's only those with the broadest shoulders that are being asked to pay more tax."Almost 1.5 million people in Scotland pay higher taxes here than anywhere else in the UK.

And that's not because they are getting more in return - they're actually paying more and getting less."Income tax is being used as a substitute for economic growth and to cover-up the financial mismanagement of this SNP Government."You've seen it already with the ferries scandal.

This is a government that is terrible with public money, that wastes it every single day."That's having a negative impact right across the country -