MURPHY’S “THINK OF A NUMBER” GAME EXPOSES UK TAX FAILINGS.

MURPHY’S “THINK OF A NUMBER” GAME EXPOSES UK TAX FAILINGS.

UK SYSTEM LETTING BUSINESS DOWN,

The SNP has today described Jim Murphy’s desperate attempt to talk down Scotland’s economic potential as simply a game of think of a number. Responding to an embargoed report from the Scotland Office which – despite admitting it can not estimate the costs of a separate Scottish tax system – proceeds to do just that SNP Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie MP pointed to the repeated criticism of the UK tax system by business as he branded the report a "work of fiction". Speaking from Westminster Mr Hosie said: “This is simply the Scotland Office playing think of a number. “If Jim Murphy and his team have time on their hands they should take up the calls of Scotland's small businesses for a simpler UK tax system instead of cooking the books with invented taxation costs. “As this work of fiction makes clear “It is not possible to estimate the costs of creating and operating a separate Scottish Tax system”. The Scotland Office has written off their own report on the opening page. “The CBI is clear it is the UK tax system and the Chancellor’s annual round of hidden surprises that is holding business back. “Only last year the CBI condemned the UK tax system as “too burdensome, too complex and too changeable to provide the right environment for British businesses.”. “And KPMG have shown that the UK tax system puts the burden squarely on small business – something fiscal autonomy for Scotland can rectify. “This latest spin from the Scotland Office will not hide the fact that they are at odds with their Calman partners over fiscal reforms and that the tax system Murphy proposes has been roundly rubbished as damaging to Scotland’s economy. “Fiscal autonomy for Scotland is well recognised as a way of improving Scotland’s economy with a competitive tax system that works’ in Scotland’s interests rather than continuing with a UK tax and regulation system that has created the worst recession in over 70 years.”