Scotland now has higher Income Tax rates than rUK

Thrugelmir

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

The finance minister dressed it up as "why should the rich enjoy a tax cut....."

Being rich is relative. In Scotland this may play to the audience. As of course makes headline news.

CLAPTON

Jason74 wrote: »

And on balance, I'd suggest that a country that prioritises free education over the kind of tax cuts being discussed here is (leaving aside the obvious side arguments about subsidy to Scotland from rUK etc) probably one that has its priorities right.

true;
massive subsidy for rich people
and less opportunity for the poorer / disadvantaged people
socialist utopia

Jason74

Doshwaster wrote: »

One effect of Scotland "free" tuition policy is that there is a cap on places which means that Universities have been unable to expand their intake which makes it harder for Scottish students, especially poorer ones, to get a place.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/27/poor-scots-squeezed-out-of-university-by-snp-cap-on-places/

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14519829.Poorest_pupils_face__quot_shocking_quot__barriers_to_university/

Thanks for this. It's not something I was aware of, naturally makes me rethink whether the free tuition is the best plan after all. In an ideal world, I think University education should be on a fee free basis, and would happily see (and myself pay) general taxation at slightly higher levels to bring this about. But if the policy is only enacted at the cost of people being able to access education at all, then perhaps a rethink is needed. This is of course especially true if the policy particularly makes it harder for students from poorer backgrounds to access University . . . . . .such an outcome seems self defeating.

Torry_Quine

Doshwaster wrote: »

It really depends on where you live £44k would go a long way in some parts of the country but not if you are in the SE of England with two kids and a non-working partner. Even as a single person I'd want a lot more than that to live in London.

Areas that aren't covered by this

Shakethedisease

Jason74 wrote: »

Thanks for this. It's not something I was aware of, naturally makes me rethink whether the free tuition is the best plan after all. In an ideal world, I think University education should be on a fee free basis, and would happily see (and myself pay) general taxation at slightly higher levels to bring this about. But if the policy is only enacted at the cost of people being able to access education at all, then perhaps a rethink is needed. This is of course especially true if the policy particularly makes it harder for students from poorer backgrounds to access University . . . . . .such an outcome seems self defeating.

Not really. Both those articles are from May 2016 ( election in the offing anyone ? ). New Scottish school and uni intakes start yearly in August. Scottish education isn't perfect, but those headlines were both wrong in May which, it has to be said, is nothing new for the Telegraph when it comes to Scotland these days. The Herald it depends if it's a Sunday or not.

18 Aug 2016

A record number of Scottish students have gained a university place, according to new figures. The Ucas statistics show university entries from the most deprived areas have also hit their highest ever level.

The number of Scottish applicants accepted to Scottish institutions increased by 4% to 30,400 compared to 29,120 at this stage last year.
Students accepted from the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland increased by 5% from 4,060 to 4,280.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/14691688.More_students_than__ever_before_win_university_places/

Herzlos

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

but if you had the chance of a job in Glasgow or Leeds? Would the news today impact many people's choice?

As someone impacted by this, I'd stay in Glasgow. I'd lose far more than the tax difference with the difference in property alone.

I'd be all for moving all of the bands up by an appropriate amount, rather than moving the 40% band up.

stator

If you earn £44k congratulations

You’re in the top 0.49% richest people in the world by income.

(Take Home £32,987.20 http://www.globalrichlist.com/ )

Owain_Moneysaver

Jason74 wrote: »

And on balance, I'd suggest that a country that prioritises free education over the kind of tax cuts being discussed here is (leaving aside the obvious side arguments about subsidy to Scotland from rUK etc) probably one that has its priorities right.

Depends if it's actually useful education, and if it's worth something shouldn't the people who benefit from it pay for it?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

There's no such thing as free, and it's my taxes paying for students to fritter four years of their lives away studying Sociology with Macrame before ending up in a job as a Macrame Development Officer with the Scottish Government.

more likely stacking shelves in Tesco.

theoretica

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Depends if it's actually useful education, and if it's worth something shouldn't the people who benefit from it pay for it?

I benefit rather a lot from other people's educations. I wouldn't want to live somewhere with more skills shortages.