Swinney Confirms No Income Tax Hikes Ahead of Budget Announcement

John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland, has officially ruled out any increases in income tax in the upcoming Budget. This decision comes in response to a recent poll indicating that a significant majority of Scots believe taxes are already too high. The survey, conducted by Survation for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), revealed that only 23 percent of respondents would consider paying higher taxes if it led to improved public services.

The poll results, released on October 29, 2025, showed that 47 percent of Scots feel the current tax burden is excessive and prefer the government to focus on more efficient use of existing resources. Additionally, 44 percent of those surveyed expressed a lack of trust in the Scottish National Party (SNP) government regarding the prudent spending of any additional tax revenue.

Swinney addressed the survey findings at an IPPR conference in Edinburgh, emphasizing the government’s commitment to maintaining current income tax levels through the remainder of this parliamentary session. He reiterated, “We’ve said that there won’t be any changes to income tax for the remainder of this parliament,” affirming a previous commitment made by Finance Secretary Shona Robison.

While income tax increases have been dismissed, Swinney did not eliminate the possibility of raising other taxes, such as the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), which applies to home purchases. When asked about potential changes to LBTT, he stated that the government would need to assess the implications of the upcoming United Kingdom Budget before making any decisions.

Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy criticized Swinney’s approach, stating, “John Swinney’s refusal to rule out the prospect of yet more tax rises will deeply alarm Scots already dealing with sky-high bills on the Nationalists’ watch.” Hoy attributed Scotland’s economic stagnation to the SNP’s tax policies, urging the government to relieve financial pressures on families.

The poll findings highlight a growing concern among voters regarding the cost of living, with only 3 percent identifying climate change as their primary concern. The survey also indicated that only 40 percent of respondents feel optimistic about Scotland’s future, while 32 percent expressed negative sentiments.

Stephen Boyd, director of IPPR Scotland, noted a slight silver lining in the polling results, stating, “More voters are positive than negative about Scotland’s future.” He emphasized the importance of addressing public concerns about taxation and spending.

The survey, conducted from September 22 to October 14, included a variety of statements regarding tax and spending, reflecting a clear sentiment among the populace. Respondents voiced strong opinions on the distribution of tax burdens, with 45 percent agreeing that higher-income individuals should contribute a greater share to support public services.

As the Scottish government prepares for the forthcoming Budget announcement, the focus will likely remain on balancing public demand for improved services with the financial realities faced by taxpayers. Swinney has confirmed that discussions regarding all tax-related decisions will be integral to the upcoming Budget-setting process.