FORMER STUC LEADER BACKS TAX POWERS FOR SCOTLAND

FORMER STUC LEADER BACKS TAX POWERS FOR SCOTLAND

SNP Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie has welcomed increased support for
real fiscal powers for the Scottish Parliament after former General
Secretary of the STUC Campbell Christie endorsed Holyrood controlling the
majority of taxes in Scotland in order to grow Scotland’s economy.

Responding to an article by Mr Christie Treasury Spokesman Stewart Hosie
said the debate on fiscal powers was moving firmly in Scotland and the
SNP’s direction as more and more people rejected the limited proposals of
the Calman Commission.

In an article published yesterday Scotland's former leading trade unionist
stated:

“I believe the time has come for Scotland’s government to be given control
over the majority of taxes that are levied in Scotland, including income
tax and corporation tax, along with the power to borrow to ensure that we,
as a country, continue to invest in those activities that will achieve our
long- term economic success.”

He continues

“It is difficult to overstate the severity of the challenges that lie
ahead for our economy and our society. It is incumbent upon us all to
ensure that the weakest and most vulnerable in our society do not once
again bear the devastating costs of an economic crisis that was certainly
not their making. I am convinced that giving Scotland’s government control
over the main fiscal levers of economic policy is essential if our economy
is to grow faster, if unemployment is to be minimised, and if our vital
public services retained as we all wish these to be. I believe that now is
the time for the Scottish Parliament to take the next vital step in its
growing maturity. The time now has come for Scotland’s devolved
administration to be given the type of fiscal responsibility it needs to
ensure that our economic health as a country can be restored as quickly as
possible.”

Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said:

“This is a very welcome and important contribution to the case for fiscal
responsibility.

“Campbell Christie is a highly respected figure in the trade union
movement and on the left of Scottish politics. His emphasis on the role
of fiscal responsibility in securing jobs, public services and economic
growth shows the importance of tax powers in delivering social justice and
protecting our public services from harsh spending cuts.

“Campbell Christie is part of a growing consensus who see that the Calman
proposals are not enough and the priority must be Scotland gaining the
powers needed to grow the economy so we can build economic prosperity for
all.

“His comments this weekend join those of businessmen Martin Gilbert, Jim
McColl, Tom Farmer and Dan MacDonald as well as increasing numbers of
economists that the proposals in Calman are insufficient and only real
financial responsibility for the Scottish Parliament will fully deliver
for Scotland’s economy.”