Tax and Economy
Recommendations
Why this is important
23. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of the tax gap the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action Required
provide legislation and power to a proactive, independent, specialist body that is responsible for finding evaders and avoiders of tax, with power to recover tax due.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.88% Disagree 4.85% Agree 29.13% Strongly agree 62.14% Total votes 103
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Why this is important
24. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of adverse business practices the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action Required
develop tax incentives for all businesses to encourage good employment practices such as:
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good environmental choices;
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higher salaries/wages so that people have moremoney to spend in the Scottish economy;
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apprenticeships and opportunities for young school leavers and graduates in trades and skills as well as academic pursuits;
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large businesses being motivated to invest in research to contribute to creating jobs;
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invest in and develop workforce skills (engineering and new industries like green energy, entrepreneurial skills, etc).
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.94% Disagree 0.00% Agree 28.16% Strongly agree 69.90% Total votes 103
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Why this is important
25. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to make tax more transparent and understandable the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action Required
provide an information hub for everyone about tax and why t is important. Individuals should be signposted to this hub when they receive their National Insurance number.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 4.85% Disagree 4.85% Agree 51.46% Strongly agree 38.83% Total votes 103
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Why this is important
26. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of understanding tax the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action Required
publish a register of organisations which shows compliance with tax and employment measures using the green/amber/red system.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.94% Disagree 12.62% Agree 46.60% Strongly agree 38.83% Total votes 103
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Why this is important
27. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of understanding tax the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action Required
appoint a credible, engaging and independent figure who can communicate government tax and spending information every quarter in a way that involves and educates the public. This could be done by creating a public information post using graphics and delivered either in person or using characters and voice overs through animation.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.91% Disagree 21.36% Agree 44.66% Strongly agree 31.07% Total votes 103
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Why this is important
28. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of understanding tax the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action Required
provide a public statement available on all platforms from the Finance Minister every quarter about how taxes of all types have been spent and what remains in all budgets.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.94% Disagree 9.71% Agree 46.60% Strongly agree 41.75% Total votes 103
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Why this is important
29. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of growing Scottish industry sustainably the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action Required
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Identify and invest in industries conducive to making Scotland a global leader and a hub for scientific and technological innovation
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Build on Scotland's scientific, industrial and technological strengths and its extensive natural resources
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Have a strong innovative leadership and culture that takes the necessary action to motivate and allow others to realise their aspirations and abilities.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 3.88% Agree 38.83% Strongly agree 57.28% Total votes 103
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Why this is important
30. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of encouraging individuals and companies to engage in the process of innovation the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action Required
invest and incentivise through research grants and tax breaks, etc.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.97% Disagree 5.83% Agree 55.34% Strongly agree 37.86% Total votes
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Why this is important
31. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of ensuring that the very best and most talented people and businesses in the new technological industries are located in Scotland, the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action Required
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Establish more centres of excellence in new technologies in every area of Scotland. For example, the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen and Roslin Innovation Centre.
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Inspire children from an early age to have an interest in, and to consider a career in, science and technology. This would be achieved through education and other initiatives such as an educational theme park like the Epcot Centre.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.88% Disagree 11.65% Agree 41.75% Strongly agree 42.72% Total votes 103
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Why this is important
32. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to enabling Scotland to lead with integrity, honesty, humility and transparency in a self-sufficient and innovative way the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action Required
develop a plan for investment in business in Scotland to secure jobs in the wake of COVID-19. To concentrate on Scottish small and medium size businesses needing support rather than multinationals. Investment should favour those businesses willing to behave ethically.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.97% Disagree 7.77% Agree 26.21% Strongly agree 65.05% Total votes 103