A new Common Weal tax paper proposes radical future for Scotland

THINK tank Common Weal has launched a new report as part of its White Paper Project for an independent Scotland, entitled ‘A Scottish Tax System: Imagining the Future’.

Richard Murphy argues for an independent Scotland’s tax policy to be effective a Scottish currency is needed from “day one”

AN independent Scotland can create a fair and effective tax system if it overhauls the UK approach to taxation, renowned tax expert Richard Murphy argues in a new paper for Common Weal, the most comprehensive of its type to date.

Influential Economic Affairs Committee slams new rules on tax and spend powers for Scotland

THE House of Lords Economics Affairs Committee has published a damning report on the Scotland Bill ahead of its second reading in the Lords.

The report centres on concerns over the new taxing and spending powers that will be available to the Scottish Parliament, and a perception that the Scotland Bill is being rushed through the legislative process with "undue haste".

Austerity is destroying the fabric of our society and economy. It is the prosperity of people which will fix our problems, not their poverty

THE idea that we can reinvigorate our economy by punishing the vulnerable for the irresponsible actions of elites is nonsensical.

Austerity is often portrayed as a short term means to balance the budget or a necessary evil, but rolling back our welfare state without questioning the volatile structure of our economy only exposes us to further instability amidst ever-widening inequality.