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Tom Hunter Launches Entrepreneurs’ Manifesto Urging Income-Tax Alignment and Planning Overhaul in Scotland

The Hunter Foundation argues targeted tax alignment with Westminster plus streamlined regulation could deliver more than 100,000 jobs within five years.

Overview

  • It estimates the reforms could add £20.2 billion to Scotland’s economy and create more than 100,000 jobs over five years.
  • It calls for Scotland to align income tax bands with the rest of the UK to remove high marginal-rate anomalies around £43,663–£50,270 that Hunter says hinder recruitment.
  • The plan seeks a “bonfire of the quangos,” the appointment of a red tape tsar, and consolidation of the three enterprise agencies to cut bureaucracy and redirect savings into business support.
  • It proposes urgent reform of business rates, a fast-track planning hub for housing and industrial projects over £10 million, investment in energy including modular nuclear, and an AI working group.
  • The launch drew support from Scottish Conservatives and rebuttals from SNP ministers defending current tax policy, with no commitments from the Scottish Government to adopt the proposals.