Motion 4
Expanding the Tax Base to Fund Public Services
“That this Congress notes that the Scottish Parliament was set up with tax varying powers and that the powers available to the Scottish Parliament to levy taxes to fund public services have been increased on two occasions since.
“Congress notes that utilisation of these powers by the Scottish Government has been extremely limited.
“Congress further notes the STUC report ‘Options for increasing taxes in Scotland to fund investment in public services’ as being one of several publications outlining where the Scottish Government could take action using its existing powers to improve public finances.
“Amongst options to the Scottish Government are increasing land and building transaction tax, increasing the additional dwelling supplement; lowering the threshold for higher rate income tax; local inheritance taxes; increasing landfill tax, and the long overdue replacement of the Council Tax with a more workable tax on property.
“These options would expand the tax base to fund public services and would shift resources from the wealthy to the less well off in Scotland and their communities.
“Congress also notes that these initiatives to boost public services would also further the Community Wealth building agenda that the Scottish Government is committed to and that Building a Fair Work Nation will become easier if public services are properly funded, as improved terms and conditions in public services will mean other employers will make efforts to compete. An expanded tax base would also allow for greater measures to tackle climate change.
“Congress calls on the Scottish Government to make greater use of the powers at its disposal to tax the wealth that there is in Scotland in order to put it to use delivering public good rather than simply private enrichment.”
Mover: UNISON
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