Prescription Charges

[Simondi]

Originally Posted by Darcydog

From Holyrood.com

”Excluding temporary COVID-19 funding, the Scottish Government has over £1.30 per person to spend on public services this year for every £1 of spending per person on comparable services in England.

As an Englishman - Scottish Independence cannot come soon enough.

Perhaps then our low income families and individuals who suffer illness and have to pay for prescription can get a fairer bite of the Cherry.

At last, something we agree on. Can't wait for independence either.
It's also worth remembering that I and many others pay more in tax in Scotland than I would in England but I am happy to do so as I am on a good salary and the government in Holyrood chooses to look after its citizens.This may be with 'free ' prescriptions, zero tution fees or free sanitary products for women.
Whether we voted for them or not, that's what out government has decided to do

[Simondi]

Originally Posted by Lovel

Free?

I pay more tax up here.

Exactly, many seem to forget we have a higher tax rate.

[Darcydog]

Originally Posted by Lovel

Free?

I pay more tax up here.

The BBC has done the calculations re the 19% rate, 20%, 21% 41% and 46% rates. Which are complicated and despite the higher top rates, do little to make up the shortfall between what Scotland gets via the Barnett Formula and Government spending.

Earnings of £15k - and you pay £20.85 less tax in Scotland

£33k and you pay £57.57 more in Scotland

£50k - you pay £1,541.57 more in Scotland

£200k - you pay £3,166.57 more tax in Scotland.

What I cannot understand is that given the Scottish Government gets a significantly higher sum per capita than England - £1 for England and £1.30 for Scotland - why are the overall tax rates higher in Scotland needed?

[Darcydog]

Originally Posted by Simondi

Exactly, many seem to forget we have a higher tax rate.

At the top end certainly - but for earning around the £25k to £31.5k pa there is little difference North or South of the Border.

Less than £23k pa and the tax paid is increasingly less in Scotland.

And the higher rates are actually smoke and mirrors because most people who would be caught by the higher rates simply move their tax point south!

So rather than increase the tax take - there is a migration of higher earners out of Scotland. Harold Wilson and Callaghan found this - high earners are highly mobile.

I am fascinated by the idea that Scotland can somehow give up the preferential funding via the Barnett Formula and still run the country with tax income that is in decline and certainly does not match outgoings.

You new post Independence Tax rates could be “interesting”. But hey!!! - maybe Nicola will convince the EU to pay the shortfall.

[edwardmk]

Originally Posted by Darcydog

At the top end certainly - but for earning around the £25k to £31.5k pa there is little difference North or South of the Border.

Less than £23k pa and the tax paid is increasingly less in Scotland.

And the higher rates are actually smoke and mirrors because most people who would be caught by the higher rates simply move their tax point south!

So rather than increase the tax take - there is a migration of higher earners out of Scotland. Harold Wilson and Callaghan found this - high earners are highly mobile.

I am fascinated by the idea that Scotland can somehow give up the preferential funding via the Barnett Formula and still run the country with tax income that is in decline and certainly does not match outgoings.

You new post Independence Tax rates could be “interesting”. But hey!!! - maybe Nicola will convince the EU to pay the shortfall.

Nicola promised that revenue from 'Scottish oil' at $110/barrel would make everyone rich!

[Darcydog]

Originally Posted by edwardmk

Nicola promised that revenue from 'Scottish oil' at $110/barrel would make everyone rich!

Yes I remember that……

She was influenced by Alex Salmond tho. It’s all a bit fishy……..

That all turned out well for them both didn’t it.

[genpk]

Nothing surprises me now over your way when i found out you guys are still required to pay death taxes on your properties!!
Fancy paying taxes all your life only to be taxed again after your dead!!

[Darcydog]

Originally Posted by genpk

Nothing surprises me now over your way when i found out you guys are still required to pay death taxes on your properties!!
Fancy paying taxes all your life only to be taxed again after your dead!!

To be fair - IHT is pretty much a voluntary tax paid by those who hate their families more than they hate the taxman.

It’s a complicated area - but the use of Trusts, Gifts and PETS (Potentially Exempt Transfers) is key.

But I agree 100% with the sentiment of your post

[wraymond]

Can't help thinking that if GB gov changed the tax regime to ape Scottish pecuniary juggling it would be political suicide. Talk about sink a ship for the want of a ha'porth o' tar.

Watching and listening to the Scottish government broadcasts from their chamber is embarrassing. The anger and resentment exceeds what happens in UK parliament by a very long way. And their stagey antics in Westminster are appalling. For me, with Scottish ancestry, that is sad.
I've never seen such bitter so-called pride. The combination of the two has proven time after time to be effective on the world stage and if separation happens one of us would be minnows in a shark pool.

[torque2me]

Originally Posted by Darcydog

What I cannot understand is that given the Scottish Government gets a significantly higher sum per capita than England - £1 for England and £1.30 for Scotland - why are the overall tax rates higher in Scotland needed?

Socialism has a price

Kev