Mr Yousaf is reportedly considering raising taxes further in Scotland in next week's budget (Image: Getty)

       An SNP claim that the majority of Scots pay less tax than the rest of the UK has been rubbished by a rival party.

       According to analysis by the Scottish Conservatives, the claim no longer applies due to rising wages. Last year’s SNP budget meant that anyone earning above ￡27,850 a year pays more income tax than someone on the same salary elsewhere in the UK.

       But rising wages means that now, the median annual salary in Scotland is ￡29,675. As a result, a claim by former deputy chair of the SNP John Swinney made when he announced the budget can no longer be true. Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Liz Smith MSP said: “The stats don’t lie: John Swinney’s claim a year ago that the majority of Scots pay less income tax under the SNP is simply bogus.

       READ MORE BBC's Fiona Bruce shatters SNP's independence dream in just three words

       “The reality is the point at which workers in Scotland pay more tax than they would in England is almost ￡2,000 below the median annual wage.

       Powered By

       00:00/05:36

       10

       10

       Nicola Bulley review: Chief Constable Andy Marsh statement in full

       Share

       Next

       Stay

       “For years, the SNP have tried to justify the damaging and ever-widening tax gap with the rest of the UK on the grounds that those on average earnings were paying less – albeit by a miniscule amount. Now even that claim doesn’t stack up.”

       Introducing the 2023-24 budget to Holyrood in December 2022, Mr Swinney said: “The majority of people in Scotland will still pay less in taxation than if they lived in the rest of the United Kingdom.”

       The rise in salary represents an increase of 6.4 percent on the year prior. It comes as the SNP reels from Humza Yousaf’s plan to increase taxes to fill a ￡1.5billion hole in the Scottish government's finances.

       Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Liz Smith labelled the claim as "bogus" (Image: Getty)

       The party of Scottish Independence reportedly intends to introduce a 44 percent band north of the border from April. It could be applied to Scots' earnings between around ￡75,000 and ￡125,140, when the 47 percent top rate kicks in.

       Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray warned the new levy could accelerate a “brain drain” from Scotland, teling the Evening Standard: “The SNP already have Scots paying the highest tax rates anywhere in the UK, and their failure to grow Scotland’s economy mean they’re looking to increase it even more.

       “They need to grow the tax base not milk it with the consequence of more brain drain to London.”

       Conservatives have accused Mr Yousaf of trying to “tax his way out” of trouble after “astonishing mismanagement” of Scotland's finances.

       Don't miss...

       BBC QT audience erupts after ex-SNP voter says she is 'glad' independence lost [REVEAL]

       Yousaf's 'catastrophic' tax plan will force doctors to leave Scotland, MP claims [INSIGHT]

       BBC Question Time audience member dismantles SNP plan to rejoin EU [ANALYSIS]

       Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading

       Start 30-day

       FREE trial

       The SNP website lists several offerings for people in Scotland that are not available south of the border, including free bus travel for under-22s, free sanitary products and free tuition.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Council tax rise to hit almost one million households - see if you are affected

       Comments

       HMRC alert as 2,000,000 Britons missing out on income tax savings - check if you can claim

       Comments

       Poll: Should Prince Harry and Meghan Markle work harder?

       Comments

       Humza Yousaf told Scots will 'see right through' ninth attempt to make independence case

       Comments

       State pension triple lock threat with calls made for Australian earnings model

       Comments

       Red-faced SNP MPs told Glasgow IS in Scotland after making major social media gaffe

       Comments

       State pension triple lock warning as ‘long-term affordability' of benefit in question

       Comments

       Tax hits highest level on record for Britons as UK also has highest property levies

       Comments

       DWP offers ￡100 weekly benefit for these 56 medical conditions - full list

       Comments

       Winter Heating Payment alert as ￡55 energy bill help to land in coming weeks

       Comments

       Labour blamed by Keegan for Wales' education decline

       Comments

       Exact date council tax is set to double for key group of home-owners

       Comments

       Pensions triple lock system faces overhaul proposals amid criticism

       Comments

       Tax warning as workers ‘risk missing out' on billions in savings thanks to pension relief

       Comments

       SNP hammer blow as fear of soaring taxes causes independence support to plummet

       Comments

       'Hapless' Humza Yousaf 'only has himself to blame' for massive black hole in ￡60bn budget

       Comments

       BBC Question Time's Fiona Bruce shatters SNP's independence dream in just three words

       Comments

       Humza Yousaf's 'catastrophic tax plan will force NHS doctors and banks to leave Scotland'

       Comments

       Humza Yousaf cannot ignore the whiff of SNP corruption

       Comments

       Fury after SNP's Humza Yousaf meets with Erdogan as David Cameron threatens cut-off

       Comments

       Council tax rise to hit almost one million households - see if you are affected

       Comments

       HMRC alert as 2,000,000 Britons missing out on income tax savings - check if you can claim

       Comments

       Poll: Should Prince Harry and Meghan Markle work harder?

       Comments

       Humza Yousaf told Scots will 'see right through' ninth attempt to make independence case

       Comments

       State pension triple lock threat with calls made for Australian earnings model

       Comments

       Red-faced SNP MPs told Glasgow IS in Scotland after making major social media gaffe

       Comments

       State pension triple lock warning as ‘long-term affordability' of benefit in question

       Comments

       Tax hits highest level on record for Britons as UK also has highest property levies

       Comments

       DWP offers ￡100 weekly benefit for these 56 medical conditions - full list

       Comments

       Winter Heating Payment alert as ￡55 energy bill help to land in coming weeks

       Comments

       Labour blamed by Keegan for Wales' education decline

       Comments

       Exact date council tax is set to double for key group of home-owners

       Comments

       Pensions triple lock system faces overhaul proposals amid criticism

       Comments

       Tax warning as workers ‘risk missing out' on billions in savings thanks to pension relief

       Comments

       SNP hammer blow as fear of soaring taxes causes independence support to plummet

       Comments

       'Hapless' Humza Yousaf 'only has himself to blame' for massive black hole in ￡60bn budget

       Comments

       BBC Question Time's Fiona Bruce shatters SNP's independence dream in just three words

       Comments

       Humza Yousaf's 'catastrophic tax plan will force NHS doctors and banks to leave Scotland'

       Comments

       Humza Yousaf cannot ignore the whiff of SNP corruption

       Comments

       Fury after SNP's Humza Yousaf meets with Erdogan as David Cameron threatens cut-off

       Comments

       Council tax rise to hit almost one million households - see if you are affected

       Comments

       HMRC alert as 2,000,000 Britons missing out on income tax savings - check if you can claim

       Comments

       Poll: Should Prince Harry and Meghan Markle work harder?

       Comments

       Humza Yousaf told Scots will 'see right through' ninth attempt to make independence case

       Comments

       State pension triple lock threat with calls made for Australian earnings model

       Comments

       Red-faced SNP MPs told Glasgow IS in Scotland after making major social media gaffe

       Comments

       State pension triple lock warning as ‘long-term affordability' of benefit in question

       Comments

       A Scottish government spokesperson said of next week’s budget: “The Budget will be set out on Tuesday by the Deputy First Minister.

       “She has been very clear Scotland is facing the most challenging budget settlement since devolution because of sustained high inflation and a UK Government autumn statement that failed to deliver the investment needed in Scotland's public services.

       “We are proud that Scotland already has the most progressive income tax system in the UK, protecting those who earn less and asking those who earn more to contribute more. This in turn allows us to provide a more comprehensive set of services than in the rest of the UK.”

       Related articles SNP hammer blow after court vindicates UK's decision to block hated woke law Humza Yousaf must now admit defeat over gender recognition bill, says SNP rival SNP now 'under investigation over ￡95,000 Jaguar' as police probe party finances Fury after Humza Yousaf meets with Erdogan as David Cameron threatens cut-off SNP hammer blow as fear of soaring taxes causes independence support to plummet