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SNP Ministers May Have Been 'Stupid' or 'Cynical' over 48p Tax Rate, Ex-Adviser Says

Internal documents say the scheme was uncosted and could cost too much, while officials consider cheaper bag options for about 50,000 pupils each year.

Summary by The Herald Scotland
Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates and former member of the Scottish Government's Tax Advisory Group, says ministers never sought advice before introducing the 48p rate.

3 Articles

The Herald ScotlandThe Herald Scotland
Lean Left

SNP ministers may have been 'stupid' or 'cynical' over 48p tax rate, ex-adviser says

Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates and former member of the Scottish Government's Tax Advisory Group, says ministers never sought advice before introducing the 48p rate.

·Glasgow, United Kingdom
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scottishdailyexpressscottishdailyexpress
Lean Right

Humiliation for John Swinney as SNP plot to water down key manifesto promise

Scottish Government civil servants are struggling to come up with a plan to implement the SNP's 'free school bag' policy - which may end up not being a 'backpack' after all.

·Glasgow, United Kingdom
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The ScotsmanThe Scotsman
Lean Left

'Uncosted gimmick': Ministers warned key SNP school bag pledge is too 'expensive'

The Welcome To School Bag was a key SNP manifesto pledge - but internal government comms recommend the promise should be watered down

·Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Bias Distribution

  • 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left

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The Scotsman broke the news in Edinburgh, United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
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