Scottish Conservative MP, John Lamont has welcomed confirmation that the UK Government will compensate military of defence workers stationed in Scotland who are currently having to pay higher taxes than their colleagues stationed in other parts of the UK.
James Heappey MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence confirmed this was the case in response to a question asked by Mr Lamont at oral questions in the House of Commons this afternoon.
Mr Lamont, MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, asked the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence, “With Scotland being the highest taxed part of the UK, what steps is the government doing to protect our armed forces personnel who might be left out of pocket, with any further tax increases in Scotland.”
Mr Heappey said that it was “unfair” that our soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, living in Scotland should be made to pay more in income tax compared to other military personnel living elsewhere.
Mr Heappey then went onto confirm that the UK government will announce soon how they will be “continuing to mitigate against the effects of these higher Scottish income taxes” on military personnel based in Scotland.
This follows the Scottish Conservative manifesto pledge last year to protect armed forces personnel stationed in Scotland from differences in income tax.
And continues UK Government actions for the past two years where soldiers, sailors, marines and RAF personnel based in Scotland have been compensated for the extra tax they have to pay.
John Lamont, Scottish Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk said;
“Scotland is the highest taxed part of the UK and many military servicemen and women based here have to pay more tax than their colleagues elsewhere in the UK.
“That is clearly an unfair situation and incorrectly penalises servicemen and women based in Scotland.
“The UK Government understands this disparity and has been compensating military personnel north of the border to ensure they are not out of pocket.
“It is extremely welcome that the UK Government will continue to mitigate against the SNP’s higher taxes.
“The Scottish Conservatives have campaigned hard to achieve this recognition and this significant cash outlay, simply to repair the damage of the SNP taxes.
“I look forward to hearing the UK government’s proposals in full.”
