Transforming Scotland – opportunities for the next Parliament

Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister of Scotland

Addressing an audience at the David Hume Institute on Tuesday evening (23rd February 2016), the First Minister argued that tax powers must be used for Scotland’s long-term social and economic benefit. The First Minister outlined how the Scottish Government has used existing tax powers to good effect. The Small Business Bonus Scheme has helped support small businesses in tough financial times; Land and Building Transactions Tax has made the property market more progressive, and Landfill Tax is being increased to encourage recycling. Ms Sturgeon also discussed how the proposed new tax powers can be used to complement the existing powers.