In this exhibition I share oil paintings that are part of getting to ‘know my place’, Granton, after moving here in November 2023. Its harbour, seascapes, and community mean a lot to me. Touch me deep in a place called ‘home’.
Home to gusty winds ruffling waters, to wild swimming in Wardie bay whatever the weather, to boats rowing or sailing on the Firth of Forth, to bonfires on the beach under a full moon, to romantic strolls to Cramond, to families and folks playing, smiling, taking dogs out, meeting friends, working, and much more.
I hope these depictions of Granton, seen through my eyes, heart, and brush, are ones in which you recognize parts of the place and community that touch you too. Or, if you are not local, that they convey their particular beauty and energy.
(half of proceeds to be shared between Medical Aid for Palestine and Granton Hub)
(Short term parking beside and beyond Granton Hub)
Three for the sea: dance performance and workshop
Sunday 30 March: 1.30 – 4pm
This event forms part of an ongoing movement inquiry into local coastal environments, and the emotions, histories, futures, stories, bodies, and ecosytems they create. It will be led and performed by Monica de Ioanni, Alena Ageeva and Juliet Henderson.
Decline in the number of specialist ASN teachers to a record low
More than doubling in the number of pupils with additional support needs since 2014
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, has raised concerns over cuts in specialist support being provided to those with additional support needs (ASN).
The call comes as new figures from the Scottish Government’s annual teacher census indicate that the number of specialist ASN teachers has fallen to a record low of 2,837 in 2024.1
In contrast, the number of those pupils with ASN has soared to a record high, now amounting to 40.5 per cent of the pupil population. 2 This includes those with mental health problems, learning disability, autism and dyslexia.
These numbers have been increasing for years. Indeed, more than doubling(102.4 per cent) over the last decade to 284,448 pupils, a rise from 140,501 in 2014, when those with ASN represented 20.8 per cent of all pupils.
Between 2014 and 2024 the number of ASN teachers (publicly funded primary, secondary, special and centrally employed) has fallen from 3,077 to 2,837, a record low and a decrease of 240 teachers.
In 2014, while each ASN teacher was supporting 40 pupils with ASN, by 2024 this figure had risen to each teacher now supporting 100 such pupils.
Against a background of spending cuts and reduction in specialist support, the SCSC has called for greater resourcing from both the Scottish Government and local authorities to ensure that those with ASN, who are disproportionately drawn from poorer neighbourhoods, are getting the care and support that they need.
The coalition has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of a presumption of mainstreaming, meaning that all pupils are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, without the necessary support.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “It is vital that those with ASN get the care and support they need. This is also key if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap as we know that those with ASN are disproportionately drawn from poorer neighbourhoods.
“With cuts in support, including in the number of specialist teachers, it is going to be extremely challenging to reduce the current inequalities faced by those with ASN.
“While we also support the presumption of mainstreaming, which means that all children and young people are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, it is clearly difficult to see how this is functioning properly given the fall in specialist support and increase in the number of those with ASN.
“The Scottish Government and local authorities need to work together to provide the necessary resourcing to address the needs of those children and young people with ASN, who represent some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. “
Foysol Choudhury MSP Stands with Unsung Community Heroes in Edinburgh
Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, calls for greater support and funding for local community organisations in Edinburgh, such as the Polish Family Support Centre, following a series of ruthless budget cuts from the Scottish Government.
Foysol Choudhury MSP has issued a heartfelt and urgent appeal for greater support and funding for local community organisations in Edinburgh. During a recent visit to the Polish Family Support Centre, Mr. Choudhury emphasised the critical role these organisations play in encouraging community cohesion and providing essential services to underrepresented groups.
This comes after the Scottish voluntary sector was struck with further budget cuts. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) have revealed that real-term cuts to public funding have surmounted to over £177m since 2021, where more than 76% of third-sector organisations report financial challenges because of inflation and rising costs.
These cuts are not just numbers; they represent the struggles of countless individuals and families who rely on these vital services.
This situation may only worsen with changes to employers’ National Insurance contributions, imposed by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which could leave the sector with another £75m to find each year.
In his recent visit to the Polish Family Support Centre, Mr. Choudhury witnessed significant challenges due to limited funding and resources.
As a one-stop-shop for all, the Polish Family Support Centre provides a wide range of services, including professional counselling, workshops, and support groups, all aimed at helping Polish families and individuals navigate the complex nature of life in Scotland.
However, the Centre’s ability to expand its reach and impact has been drastically obstructed by financial constraints. According to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, the Polish Family Support Centre has lost hundreds of thousands in funding, and with over 4,040 yearly sessions in 2023 – an increase of 2,000 from 2018 – it is clear that the Polish Family Support Centre needs further backing.
Other community organisations such as the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, Milan SWO, Edinburgh Diwali, the Bihari Community of Scotland, and other third sector organisations are also crying out for support.
Mr. Choudhury’s call to action comes at a time when many third-sector community organisations struggle to secure funding and resources. He has been a vocal advocate for these groups, hosting roundtable discussions at the Scottish Parliament to address the current funding model and barriers to access.
Here, the Scottish Government and other public bodies need to take a fair funding approach, moving to inflation-based settlements of three years or more, which consider costs such as uplifts in the real living wage.
Community organisations, such as the Polish Family Support Centre, continue to exist as a symbol of hope for the people of Edinburgh, driven by a mission to support and empower individuals and families.
Commenting, Foysol Choudhury MSP said:“Community organisations exist as the backbone of our society. They offer vital services, from psychological support to advocacy, yet they remain overlooked and underfunded.
“It is crucial that we recognise their contributions to our community and provide them with the necessary support to continue their work.
“Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland must address the barriers to funding and ensure that smaller community-based organisations have access to the resources they need, as their work is crucial in promoting social inclusion and supporting minority groups.
“I urge everyone from policymakers to residents, to recognise the invaluable work these organisations do. They are not just service providers; they are the heart and soul of our communities.
“By supporting them, we are investing in a more inclusive, compassionate, and resilient society. Let’s come together to ensure that nobody is left behind.”
Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep challenge is back again for another year, giving customers in Edinburgh the chance to raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
The supermarket challenge, inspired by the legendary game show, is sure to add excitement to the weekly shopping trip. As well as fundraising, Edinburgh locals have the chance to take home their favourite items from Aldi’s store in Chesser.
Launched in 2016, the supermarket challenge offers shoppers the chance to take part in a five-minute trolley dash, allowing them to gather as many Aldi favourites as they can within the timeframe. Once the time is up, the lucky shopper gets to take home the trolley full of goodies, while Aldi matches the cash value of the goods as a donation.
Each year across Scotland CHAS supports over 500 babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions and their families. In 2025 every penny raised through Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep will go directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in support.
Edinburgh residents can apply for the Supermarket Sweep from Monday 24 March to Sunday 30 March 2025.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said:“Our annual Supermarket Sweeps hold a special place in the Aldi calendar, donating over £50,000 to local charities since 2016. We’re very much looking forward to its return for another year and giving one lucky Edinburgh resident the chance to enjoy a truly unique supermarket experience.
“CHAS is a charity very close to our hearts, which provides a truly invaluable lifeline for families across Scotland, offering specialist care and unwavering support during the most difficult moments imaginable. This year, Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep will be travelling all over Scotland, giving Aldi customers nationally a brilliant opportunity to raise funds for CHAS while shining a light on the incredible work the charity does.”
To coincide with World Theatre Day tomorrow (Thursday 27 March), Vue venues in Edinburgh are bringing a selection of British productions to the big screen this spring.
Kicking things off is the National Theatre’s world premiere adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s comedy masterpiece, Dr. Strangelove.
This bold stage version of the iconic film sees seven-time BAFTA Award winner Steven Coogan take on four different roles in this explosively humorous satire. From Emmy winning Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It, Veep) and Olivier Award-winner Sean Foley (The Upstart Crow), Dr. Strangelove follows the US government and an eccentric scientist as they scramble to avert global destruction after a rogue U.S. General triggers a nuclear attack…
Marking its 20th anniversary, the musical adaptation of the Academy Award winning Billy Elliot the Musical will be pirouetting onto the big screen from 30 March.
Filmed at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London’s West End, it tells the story of a young boy in the 1980s who discovers a passion for ballet and dance, inspiring his family and his community.
With the original creative team from the film and music from British legend Elton John, this funny and uplifting theatrical experience is not one to miss.
Arriving next month, the big screen debut of the Tony award-winning box office smash-hit SIX the Musical Live! heads to Vue for a one-off showstopping cinematic experience from 6 April.
This global theatre phenomenon, filmed at London’s Vaudeville Theatre, reunites the original cast in a new take on the long-misunderstood wives of Henry VIII as they strut out of the shadow of their infamous husband to reclaim their own stories in their own words.
Finally, to mark National Shakespeare Day on 18 April, an all-star production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth brings an immersive take on the The Scottish Play to Vue – filmed especially for the big screen.
Starring acting royalty David Tennant (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) and Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, Criminal Record), catch Shakespeare’s beloved tragic tale masterfully performed at the Donmar Warehouse in London.
Robert Smith, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “World Theatre Day is a fantastic opportunity for us all to celebrate the magic and the marvel of theatre – in every shape it takes.
“We’re thrilled to offer theatre and musical fans the opportunity to catch some of the most acclaimed productions and performances all from the comfort of their local Vue venue.”
CATASTROPHIC:Tax justice or austerity-induced declines in life expectancy?
Tax Justice Scotland is seeking to promote a better conversation on tax policy. As such, the views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Tax Justice Scotland and its diverse supporters.
UK-wide austerity has caused average life expectancy to stagnate since 2012, and to decrease in the most disadvantaged areas (write GERRY McCARTNEY and DAVID WALSH) . With more UK-wide public spending cuts looming, the Scottish Government should use fairer taxation to combat the impacts of austerity – and avoid additional cuts.
Austerity Kills
Since 2010, a range of austerity measures have been implemented across the UK. Although most areas of public spending have suffered to some degree, the largest cuts have been directed at social security and local government, with brief interruptions in this broad approach only seen during the pandemic.
Our analyses show that the effects of austerity policies have been catastrophic.
The UK Labour Government’s self-imposed ‘fiscal rules’, which limit public spending, are triggering a new round of spending reviews across departments, with cuts again on the cards. Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement on 26 March, we’re now seeing reports of looming cuts to social security, with those on benefits further stigmatised.
Elsewhere, local government spending has been squeezed in real-terms per person by 18% in England (2010 to 2023/24), and 7% in Scotland (2009/10 to 2022/23). We have also just seen the international aid budget slashed to fund defence spending.
These cuts are a choice: after all, there is no shortage of fair tax options to raise more resources at UK level. Tax Justice UK and the Patriotic Millionaires suggest over £60 billion more could be raised per year through tax reforms and the closure of tax loopholes.
What can be done in Scotland?
In the absence of tax justice at UK level, the Scottish Government isn’t powerless.
It’s true that the devolution settlement dictates that it has to run a balanced budget, with the bulk of its revenues coming from the block grant, and a smaller proportion from devolved taxes.
This has meant that as budgets were squeezed in real-terms between 2010 and 2019 the Scottish Government has either had to pass on those cuts to Scottish public services, or raise taxes to protect budgets. Subsequent increases to deal with the pandemic have been eroded away .
Positively, the Scottish Government has chosen to raise some additional tax revenues; for example, the relatively small, but progressive adjustments in the Income Tax bands and rates. However, the scale of these changes has been wholly insufficient to compensate for the cuts in the block grant up to 2020.
Generating more revenue from Income Tax by increasing taxes for people on higher incomes would be a fair first step, particularly given that it is likely that most Scottish high earners work in the public sector and therefore cannot move that income elsewhere (the postholder could leave, but the job – and the tax paid on the income from it – would remain in Scotland).
But taxing earned income from employment isn’t the only way to raise more revenues to combat austerity; we must find ways to better tax wealth too.
Changes to how property wealth is taxed are long-overdue. Right now, the Council Tax is patently unfair because it taxes poorer households more than richer households as a percentage of their income and property value.
Wealth takes many forms – including ownership of land, shares and savings, as well as pensions, and other assets. Devolved powers to better tax all of these forms of wealth are limited, but options like a land tax, perhaps administered locally, could be considered. Doing so would not only raise more revenues to fund services but also combat the damaging impact of wealth inequality on the economy.
Wealth inequality fuels other inequalities, like those related to gender and ethnicity. But most importantly, a growing wealth gap between those who have wealth and those who don’t – locks some of us into a life of precarity and poverty, and others into one of privilege and opportunity.
This not only concentrates advantage, opportunity and power in fewer hands, but also limits social mobility for the majority, undermines the social contract, and can ultimately threaten social cohesion and democratic politics.
With a recent report for the STUC indicating that a combination of tax justice reforms in Scotland could raise an additional £3.7bn per year, we must see faster progress.
Reject austerity and deliver tax justice
So, in the absence of action at UK level, if the Scottish Government really wants to protect the health of the Scottish population, fighting back against austerity will be necessary. The only real option in the current context is to increase taxes in a fair way so that the rich pay more.
Tax justice for Scotland, and the rest of the UK, really is a matter of life and death.
This blog was written by Gerry McCartney, Professor of Wellbeing Economy, University of Glasgow and David Walsh, Senior Lecturer in Health Inequalities, University of Glasgow.
“The Haven passes the baton to SAMH, leaving behind a wonderful legacy, proving Scotland’s mental health crisis can be reversed.” – Roslyn Neely – CEO, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity
A walk-in wellbeing and resilience pilot, developed to tackle Scotland’s mental health crisis will come to an end in the summer, after demonstrating unquestionably that early intervention can reduce mental health challenges among children and young people.
The Haven opened at The Fraser Centre, Tranent in September 2023 under Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s ‘No Time To Wait’ strategy. It later moved to bigger premises in Haddington due to demand, and since opening the service has attracted 3,461 visits. Of these, 2,041 were children and young people and 1,420 were their affected family members.
Roslyn Neely, CEO of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity said: “We are incredibly sad that our pilot wellbeing and resilience service is coming to an end, but that was always our intention, as a charity we couldn’t fund this forever.
“However we will close our doors with a huge sense of pride in what The Haven has achieved and a promise to all families receiving support that we will not turn our backs on them, we will continue to provide vital assistance, ensuring that the care and connection established through The Haven remain a core part of our work.”
Scotland’s national mental health charity, Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), has recently announced The Nook, a network of mental health support hubs, which will build on the foundations laid by ECHC and the team at The Haven, marking a significant step forward for mental health support in Scotland, and beyond.
Roslyn Neelycontinued: “We are delighted that our work will now contribute to a long-term, sustainable national approach to Scotland’s mental health crisis.
“The Haven passes the baton to SAMH, leaving behind a wonderful legacy, proving Scotland’s mental health crisis can be reversed, and we celebrate the fact that a major organisation like SAMH is stepping in to continue this important work.
“Their ability to advocate for long-term government support means that children’s mental health remains firmly on the national agenda, and we wholeheartedly support this.”
The Haven is a groundbreaking two-year pilot which has successfully supported hundreds of families who have a child struggling with their mental health. Critically, it uses a walk-in format with no waiting lists.
The Haven takes a unique whole family approach, supporting not just the individual struggling with mental health challenges, but their parents, grandparents, siblings and carers.
The Scottish Government has called on UK Government ministers to urgently deliver a targeted energy bill discount to protect customers in greatest need and drive down high fuel poverty rates.
The final report of the Social Tariff Working Group – comprising energy suppliers, consumer and fuel poverty groups and disabled people’s organisations – published today, recommends targeted energy bill support to address the issue of unaffordable bills, plus a move beyond determining eligibility based on receipt of benefits.
The group concluded that support applied automatically to eligible households, using metrics based on a combination of household income, medical need and rurality would have a positive impact.
Acting Climate Action Minister Alasdair Allan said: “High energy prices remain the single greatest driver of fuel poverty in Scotland, and we have taken various steps – within the limits of our devolved powers – aimed at raising household incomes and improving energy efficiency.
“We have reinstated the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners; we have increased funding for Warmer Homes Scotland by £20 million, helping around 1,500 more households save on energy bills; and we have committed a further £20 million for the Scottish Welfare Fund to support the most vulnerable people.
“However, this is not enough to drive down stubbornly high fuel poverty rates and energy prices continue to rise. Targeted bill support is urgently needed to ensure that consumers are protected against high costs at source and can afford all their energy needs.
“We have worked very productively with energy providers and advice groups to come up with a deliverable scheme, and the final report demonstrates clear consensus on the way forward. However, the fundamental levers to make a difference are with the UK Government.
“Existing one-off flat rate rebates are insufficient and are not a long-term solution, and the UK Government must urgently deliver a unit rate discount, with the level of discount proportionate to need. The outputs from our group must act as a foundation and mainstay of a revised strategy, providing a signal of intent and leadership by the UK Government in tackling fuel poverty at source.”
The group considered fuel eligibility, consumer eligibility and data, level and form of support, and funding, as well as feedback from frontline advisers and campaigners.
Its conclusions differ from previous models which would have meant moving customers on to a different tariff, thereby removing them from the competitive market and from other means of saving money.
Chancellor vows to bring about “security and national renewal” as she delivers a Spring Statement to kickstart economic growth, protect working people and keep our country safe.
Reeves will warn that “we have to move quickly in a changing world”, unveiling a significant step towards spending 2.5% of GDP on defence with £2.2 billion funding boost next year.
Growth and national security at heart of Plan for Change as funding invested in cutting-edge weapons and better homes for thousands of military families – paid for by reductions to international aid budget and from the Treasury reserve.
The Chancellor will promise to deliver “security for working people” and a “decade of national renewal”, as she reveals how the Government will put advanced weaponry in the hands of British troops, provide better homes for military families and kickstart economic growth through the Plan for Change.
At today’s Spring Statement, the Chancellor will announce a further £2.2 billion funding increase for defence from April, as she warns that Britain has to “move quickly in a changing world”.
The funding will be invested in advanced technologies so that Britain’s armed forces have the tools they need to compete and win in modern warfare. This includes guaranteeing the investment to fit Royal Navy ships with Directed Energy Weapons by 2027. These weapons can hit a £1 coin from 1km away and take down drones at a distance of 5km.
It will also be used to provide better homes for military families by refurbishing the defence estate – including over 36,000 homes recently brought back into public ownership from the rental sector. In addition to this, the funding will unlock rapid preparatory work, such as site surveys, planning and architecture, for the major redevelopment of Armed Forces housing through the Defence Housing Strategy.
The investment will also help fund upgrades to infrastructure at His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth, securing its ability to support Royal Navy operations into the future.
Speaking in the House of Commons today, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is expected to say:“This government was elected to change our country.
“To provide security for working people. And deliver a decade of national renewal.
“That work of change began in July – and I am proud of what we have delivered in just nine months.
“Restoring stability to our public finances; giving the Bank of England the foundation to cut interest rates three times since the General Election; rebuilding our public services with record investment in our NHS and bringing down waiting lists for 5 months in a row; and increasing the National Living Wage to give 3 million people a pay rise from next week.
She will add: “Now our task is to secure Britain’s future in a world that is changing before our eyes. The job of a responsible government is not simply to watch this change.
“This moment demands an active government stepping up to secure Britain’s future. A government on the side of working people.
“To grasp the opportunities that we now have and help Britain reach its full potential, we need to go further and faster to kickstart growth, protect national security and make people better off through our Plan for Change.
She will also say:“In February, the Prime Minister set out the government’s commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027 and an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament as economic and fiscal conditions allow.
“That was the right decision in a more insecure world, putting an extra £6.4bn into the defence budget by 2027. But we have to move quickly in a changing word. And that starts with investment.
“So I can today confirm that I will provide an additional £2.2bn for the Ministry of Defence next year – a further downpayment on our plans to deliver 2.5% of GDP.
“This increase in investment is not just about increasing our national security but increasing our economic security, too. As defence spending rises, I want the whole country to feel the benefits.”
The plan will include action to harness the ingenuity of Britain’s leading manufacturing and technology sectors, creating jobs across the country and putting more money into people’s pockets.
The increase set to be announced today follows the extra £2.9 billion announced for defence in the Autumn Budget and takes spending as a proportion of GDP to 2.36 per cent in 2025/26 – up from 2.3 per cent in 2024/25.
The announcement is fully funded. The new money comes from in-year funding from the Treasury reserve and from changes to the Overseas Development Assistance budget, so will not require additional borrowing and will maintain the Chancellor’s ironclad fiscal rule.
Further detail on the Ministry of Defence’s investment plan will be set out via the Strategic Defence Review in the Spring and the Spending Review in June.
Commenting on the increase in defence spending, Defence Secretary John Healey said:“National security is the bedrock of a successful economy and our Plan for Change. This significant increase in defence spending, on top of the £2.9bn announced by the Chancellor at the Budget, means an extra £5 billion for our Armed Forces next financial year.
“This investment will make Britain stronger and safer in a more insecure world. And it will ensure defence is an engine for growth, creating good jobs across the nation.
“These are the bold first steps of the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War announced by the Prime Minister last month. Our government is delivering for defence and investing in the outstanding men and women who keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”
CHANCELLOR EXPECTED TO SLASH WELFARE IN SPRING STATEMENT
New polling reveals people in Scotland would overwhelmingly prefer the very richest to pay more in tax rather than see cuts to public spending, as parallel Oxfam analysis shows the UK’s wealthiest people continue to amass even greater fortunes.
It comes as new number crunching by Oxfam, Patriotic Millionaires UK and Tax Justice UK finds that UK billionaires have seen their fortunes swell by £11 billion in the past 12 months alone – the combined amount the UK Government plans to cut from international aid and social security entitlements for people in the UK with disabilities or illnesses.
Campaigners say the data shows the UK Government’s recent cuts are not about financial scarcity, but rather about political priorities, and they sharply contrast with public opinion.
The polling, carried out ahead of the Spring Statement by YouGov on behalf of Oxfam, shows that people aged over 16 in Scotland strongly back action to fairly tax the wealthiest:
68% think the very richest should pay more in tax.
More than three-quarters (79%) would rather tax the very richest than see cuts to public spending.
79% support a new 2% wealth tax on assets worth more than £10 million.
The findings pile further pressure on the UK Government to introduce wealth taxes on the richest millionaires and billionaires.
Tax justice campaigners have identified a series of fair tax reforms and loopholes that could be closed to raise additional revenue. They say that a 2% wealth tax alone, applied to assets worth more than £10m, could raise up to £24 billion annually or around £460 million a week while only impacting 0.04% of the population – around 20,000 people.
For illustrative purposes, if the 2% wealth tax on assets over £10 million was introduced now, UK billionaires would still have seen their personal wealth soar by an average of £141 million each – a total of nearly £7.5 billion combined – since this time last year.
The money raised could be used to reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen public services, including the critical care sector, and boost climate action, instead of padding the pockets of the super-rich while deepening economic, gender and racial inequalities.
Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said:“We all feel it in our bones: it’s indefensible that public spending to support those in poverty and crisis is being slashed, while private wealth is quietly stashed away.
“People in Scotland are crystal clear: they’d rather tax the richest than see cuts to public spending. Yet the UK Government has chosen to snatch £11 billion from the pockets of those who need it most while the same amount has been added to the bloated bank balances of those who need it least in just 12 months.
“It’s time for the UK Government to put fairness first; tax the super-rich and protect people in poverty. The choice is that simple.”
Mark Campbell, entrepreneur and member of Patriotic Millionaires UK, said:“As a millionaire I know the economy is working for a few people like me and working against the vast majority.
“Spending cuts are short-sighted and will only increase the worries of millions of people in the UK who are struggling to put food on the table and heat their homes.
“Meanwhile, the very richest people in our society are watching their wealth grow exponentially. It seems outrageous that the wealth of the richest is taxed at a much lower rate than the income of working people who will bear the brunt of these budget cuts.
“A wealth tax is a very clear alternative. Given that most people want higher taxes on the very richest, and plenty of millionaires – people like me – also want it, what’s stopping the UK Government?”
As part of Tax Justice Scotland, a campaign backed by more than 50 diverse civil society organisations, think tanks, trade unions and academics, Oxfam Scotland is urging the UK and Scottish Governments to use their respective tax powers to fairly raise more money to enable greater investment in key poverty-reducing public services, like care, while combatting inequalities, and rewarding businesses that provide fair and flexible work – including for parents, and particularly women – while paying the real Living Wage.
Oxfam Scotland says the Scottish Government must also use devolved powers to help combat the growing gap between the wealthiest and those struggling to make ends meet, with the richest 10% having 217 times more wealth than the least wealthy 10%, and with record high income inequality.
Wealth inequality is not only deeply unfair, but a barrier to reducing poverty. It exacerbates social and environmental harms, fuels wider inequalities – such as those related to gender and race, and drives a wedge between those with wealth and those without it.
Campaigners are calling on Scottish Ministers to use the devolved tax tools at their disposal, such as landing a fair tax on pollution-spewing private jets using Scotland’s airports and finally replacing the discredited Council Tax with a system to tax property wealth fairly.
Jamie Livingstone added:“Scotland’s political leaders can’t afford to wait for Westminster to make the fair and obvious choice to make the wealthiest pay their share.
“As we approach the 2026 Holyrood election, they would be fool hardy to ignore the public mood. People want to see real progress on fairness. Scotland has powers to tax wealth more fairly to combat runaway inequality and to build a better and greener country, it’s time to use them.”
