Scotland now has higher Income Tax rates than rUK

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theoretica wrote: »

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

I think that's a valid point, but I'd add a rider in that I would not agree (by the way I'm not targeting you with this remark) with a viewpoint of equating a University degree uniquely with education and certainly not (especially not) with skills. Vocational training is also worthy of respect and appreciation.

Intelligence does not come with with attending a University, only the opportunity to learn a bit about more things.

So I'd like to see a better balance and better apprecistoon between so-called academic studies and other sorts of training with less emphasis on how many go to University and more on how skills are distributed across the board. Such would be a bit cheaper methinks and of more value to everyone.

.. and yes, I do favour subsiding education - education is an investment for all of us, be it a Physics degree or a course in Plumbing.

Spidernick

Doshwaster wrote: »

It's based upon your home address not where you work

https://www.gov.uk/scottish-rate-income-tax/how-it-works

Yes, because the UK's tax system isn't complicated enough as it is without bringing this into the mix!:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/6146911/UK-has-longest-tax-code-handbook-in-the-world.html

zagubov

.string. wrote: »

I think that's a valid point, but I'd add a rider in that I would not agree (by the way I'm not targeting you with this remark) with a viewpoint of equating a University degree uniquely with education and certainly not (especially not) with skills. Vocational training is also worthy of respect and appreciation.

Intelligence does not come with with attending a University, only the opportunity to learn a bit about more things.

So I'd like to see a better balance and better apprecistoon between so-called academic studies and other sorts of training with less emphasis on how many go to University and more on how skills are distributed across the board. Such would be a bit cheaper methinks and of more value to everyone.

.. and yes, I do favour subsiding education - education is an investment for all of us, be it a Physics degree or a course in Plumbing.

I'd like to see a system where STEM degrees were free and also other ones that could be valuable to the economy (e.g languages, on the basis that other countries sell in your language but buy in their own). Anything that just personally developed you as an individual would deserve more of an input from yourself.

When I studied in Scotland back in the 70s I was very much aware that Science and engineering were much more respected than a swathe of other subjects. I also now notice that more recently that the FE sector has been focussed on delivering HE to people who want vocational development at sub-degree level, so there are almost as many people studying HNCs and HNDs in vocational subjects as there are doing academic degrees.

It's very much not like that here in London and the South-East.

Nebulous2

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

The SNP government has decided to not pass on the new 45,000 rate at which the 40% band will kick in, it will be linked to inflation -starting at 43,430.

A very small revenue raiser, but really sends out the message that the SNP don't think much of the middle classes. The finance minister dressed it up as "why should the rich enjoy a tax cut....." - I certainly don't class someone on 44k as rich.

Median income is Scotland is £22,464. The 40% band applies to 7.3% of the population. So whether you class someone on £44k as rich or not for most people they are.

Nebulous2

molerat wrote: »

Along with the 7% to 22% council tax banding rise imposed on bands E and above :mad:

So for band H in my area they are looking at a probable 26% increase next year, another £600.

Following a 9 year freeze which has saved people in higher bands the most money.

https://www.ifs.org.uk/uploads/publications/ff/council_tax.xls

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zagubov wrote: »

I'd like to see a system where STEM degrees were free and also other ones that could be valuable to the economy (e.g languages, on the basis that other countries sell in your language but buy in their own). Anything that just personally developed you as an individual would deserve more of an input from yourself.

When I studied in Scotland back in the 70s I was very much aware that Science and engineering were much more respected than a swathe of other subjects. I also now notice that more recently that the FE sector has been focussed on delivering HE to people who want vocational development at sub-degree level, so there are almost as many people studying HNCs and HNDs in vocational subjects as there are doing academic degrees.

It's very much not like that here in London and the South-East.

As an Engineer myself I cannot but agree that Engineers are valuable. If vocational studies are supported to the same degree (no pun intended) in Scotland I applaud that and would hope the same could be true everywhere. There does seem to a culture of disparaging qualifications other than degrees though. No I should correct that: "disparaging" is not the proper word maybe "relatively downplaying" would be more adequate.

zagubov

.string. wrote: »

As an Engineer myself I cannot but agree that Engineers are valuable. If vocational studies are supported to the same degree (no pun intended) in Scotland I applaud that and would hope the same could be true everywhere. There does seem to a culture of disparaging qualifications other than degrees though. No I should correct that: "disparaging" is not the proper word maybe "relatively downplaying" would be more adequate.

There is far too much undervaluing of expertise. This also applies to the qualifications of our leaders, and their ability to select advisers and make good decisions.

This is a great time to be an oaf or bumpkin. Their hour has really arrived. God help the rest of us, though.:(

CLAPTON

Nebulous2 wrote: »

Median income is Scotland is £22,464. The 40% band applies to 7.3% of the population. So whether you class someone on £44k as rich or not for most people they are.

so if only 7.3% of the taxpayers are to pay an extra couple of hundred, then not much will be collected

so the sole and only point being made is that SNP don't like/want successful people

Nebulous2

CLAPTON wrote: »

so if only 7.3% of the taxpayers are to pay an extra couple of hundred, then not much will be collected

so the sole and only point being made is that SNP don't like/want successful people

The point being made is that rich people should be willing to pay more towards the common good.

To be pedantic no-one is paying more. Their allowance is rising slightly, so they will be paying less than they were, just not as much less as in the rest of the UK.