The SNP has rubber-stamped its own broken promise on tax, after it officially changed the rates north of the border.
With the help of the Greens, the nationalist government signed off the new tax band system which will reinforce Scotland’s reputation as the highest-taxed part of the UK.
This is despite pledging on dozens of occasions not to increase income tax on hardworking Scots.
The move, opposed by the Scottish Conservatives, means hundreds of thousands of workers will pay more income tax than those elsewhere in Britain.
Speaking at Holyrood today, shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said teachers, nurses and police officers would be among those paying more tax under the SNP.
He echoed the concerns of business leaders who have warned tax increases would lead to a reduction in consumer spending, which will have an overall negative impact on the economy.
And with a weaker economy, Mr Fraser added, the Scottish Government would collect fewer tax receipts, meaning public services will suffer.
Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said:
“The SNP government must start listening to all the voices expressing concerns about tax increases.
“Every economic forecast has the Scottish economy growing at a fraction of the UK average in coming years.
“This rise in income tax penalises hardworking Scottish families.
“It breaks a promise made by the SNP in 2016, and repeated dozens of times since.
“And, in making Scotland the highest-taxed part of the UK, it will condemn us to more years of sluggish economic growth, depriving the government of much-needed tax revenue as a result.”