Salmond’s super-tax suffers double blow

The Salmond super-tax on jobs has received a further double blow, after the Regulatory Review Group revealed that the decision not to carry out a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment on the legislation was down to the SNP Government, presumably because they were afraid of potential findings.

The Scottish Grocer’s Federation has also criticised the consequences this tax would have for town centres the length and breadth of Scotland.

Gavin Brown MSP, Shadow Minister for Enterprise, said:

“This is a double blow for the Salmond Super Tax. The SNP Government’s own appointed regulatory adviser has replied to my letter of last week, pointing out that it was the SNP who chose not to carry out a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Non-Domestic Rates regulation, otherwise known as the Salmond super-tax.

“It’s clear that John Swinney banned a probe because he was afraid of what the assessment would find. He is only supposed to bypass an assessment in exceptional circumstances. He needs to tell us just what is so extraordinary about this jobs tax?

“The SNP also decided not to consult on the tax, again quite clearly for fear of being found out.

“Now the Scottish Grocer’s Federation has stated that town centres will suffer under the Salmond super-tax.

“As these developments prove, opposition to this damaging tax is not about backing big business, as Alex Salmond claims, but all about saving Scottish jobs. Many shops across Scotland face the Salmond super-tax, threatening jobs and investment. The First Minister is sending out a message that it doesn’t pay to be a business success in Scotland. If you are successful, he will punish you.

“If the First Minister really cares about Scottish business and Scottish jobs, and if he really wants to secure the Scottish recovery, he should scrap his tax on jobs now.”