By Lucy Ashton
Scottish Labour has accused the SNP of being “desperately out of touch” after Kate Forbes refused to back Labour’s plans to end tax breaks for private schools.
On BBC Question Time, Kate Forbes criticised Labour’s plans to scrap VAT tax breaks on private schools, repeatedly refusing to back the proposals.
The SNP Finance Secretary also doubled down on the SNP’s longstanding opposition to Labour’s plans for a windfall tax on the excess profits of oil and gas giants.
Kate Forbes and Jackie Baillie clash over tax breaks for private sachools.
These measures will boost funding for state schools and fund Labour’s plans to drive down energy bills.
Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said “Any claim that the SNP wants to end austerity has been left in tatters as Kate Forbes refuses to back Labour’s plans to boost funding for public services and cut bills for struggling Scots.
“Kate Forbes’ Tory tribute act shows how desperately out of touch the SNP is.
“Once again the SNP has turned its back on the most vulnerable people in Scotland, siding instead with powerful corporations.
“It is incoherent and morally bankrupt to insist a nurse should pay more tax while defending tax breaks for private schools and energy giants.
“On July 4, Scotland can remove the Tories and elect a Labour government that will boost funding for schools, drive down bills and ensure everyone pays their fair share.”
The two main private schools where West Dunbartonshire choose to be educated at Lomond School in Helensburgh and St Aloysius College in Glasgow.