Reform UK Promises Scottish Income Tax Cuts
Reform UK has committed to reducing Scottish income tax rates below those in England as the party launched its manifesto for the upcoming Holyrood election.
Malcolm Offord, the party's leader in Scotland, stated that the tax system north of the border would first be aligned with the rest of the UK before implementing cuts.
Offord, a former Conservative peer, also pledged reforms to the NHS, reductions in what he described as "unsustainable" welfare spending, and the revitalization of the North Sea oil and gas sector.
The manifesto was unveiled at Reform's inaugural Scottish conference, where the party also introduced its constituency candidates for the election.
Nigel Farage, who addressed the conference, emphasized that the party stands "with our people, not those who come to Britain illegally." He also forecasted that Reform could become the second largest party in Holyrood, suggesting the party might "surprise" some observers.
Offord, who defected from the Conservative Party in December and previously served as a Conservative minister, is contesting the Inverclyde seat, his hometown.
During his speech in Renfrewshire, Offord reiterated his ambition to become Scotland's next first minister following the 7 May vote, with Reform aiming to significantly increase its current representation of one MSP.
He asserted that the party would "unleash Scotland's potential" and claimed that their tax proposals would position Scotland as the best place to live and work within the UK.
The Scottish government currently administers a distinct income tax system with six bands, compared to the UK's three.
Reform proposes abolishing Scotland's additional bands and aligning the remaining ones with English rates, followed by a 1p reduction—resulting in a 19p basic rate, a 39p higher rate, and a 44p additional rate.
The manifesto outlines plans to reduce each band by up to 3p below English rates by the end of the parliamentary term.
The party estimates that aligning the tax bands with the UK would cost £1.2 billion annually, with each subsequent 1p cut costing £850 million.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has described the party's initial costing of £2 billion as a "reasonable estimate" in the short term, though acknowledging that costs would rise over time.
The manifesto states that these costs could be "easily" covered by cutting £1 billion spent on "ideological" net-zero projects aimed at reducing emissions, and £6.5 billion spent on 132 quangos—public bodies operating at arm's length from the government, including health boards.
It adds that economic growth stimulated by tax cuts would offset the expenditure.
Creating a 'Wealth Economy'
The Reform manifesto pledges to "make Scotland the most successful part of the UK".
It dismisses arguments for independence as "pie-in-the-sky," asserting there is "no appetite" for another referendum "any time soon."
Offord stated that Scotland has "a record amount of spending, but not the reward for it," and pledged to foster a "wealth economy."
While acknowledging welfare as a necessary "safety net," he committed to reintegrating thousands of economically inactive Scots into the workforce.
The gap between Scottish government social security spending and the equivalent amount received from the UK Treasury is projected to be £1.1 billion in 2026-27, increasing to £1.2 billion by 2030-31. The total social security bill is forecast to reach £9.2 billion by that time.
Offord described this level of spending as unsustainable and indicated that Reform would reduce welfare expenditure. The manifesto also proposes "rigorous face-to-face assessments of claimants."
Offord pledged to end Glasgow's role as Scotland's primary dispersal city for successful asylum seekers and to prioritize people with local connections on council housing lists.
He stated that Scots are "fed up" with immigration, especially in working-class communities. The former Conservative minister claimed that the "record numbers of strangers" arriving in Glasgow have made the city "less safe for women and girls."
Glasgow currently accommodates approximately 3,800 asylum seekers, more than any city outside London.
However, a 2022 study analyzing crime across 30 countries over 30 years found "no statistical evidence exists to relate an increase in the number of immigrants to the rise of any kind of crime." Additionally, a 2013 study concluded that "there is virtually no evidence in any country to suggest links between migration and violent crime."
'Immigration Capital'
During his speech, Farage described Glasgow as the UK's immigration "capital."
Referencing a large Muslim public prayer held in London on the preceding Monday, the Reform leader warned,
"If it hasn't come to Scotland yet it will come soon."
He asserted that his party would defend "Christian principles" against efforts to "overtake, intimidate and dominate our way of life."
Farage also criticized UK workers for being overtaxed and working longer hours "than they ever had to," contrasting this with neighbors who "rise at midday, have Deliveroo come, and smoke dope for the afternoon."
The Reform leader reiterated his belief that an independence referendum is a "once-in-a-generation" event, estimating a generation as approximately 25 years.
Additional Manifesto Commitments
The Reform manifesto also includes further policy proposals, though these were not detailed in the provided content.
