Scottish Greens Propose Mansion Tax for Budget Support

The Scottish Greens are advocating for a 'mansion tax', proposing a 15% Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) on homes valued over £1 million, along with a new 12% rate starting at £650,000. This initiative aims to boost funding for public services like the NHS and combat child poverty, which they argue is exacerbated by austerity measures. The Greens' demands come as the SNP struggles to secure enough votes to pass its budget in a polarized Parliament following the collapse of their coalition agreement earlier this year. Ross Greer, the Greens' finance spokesperson, emphasized the necessity of using property taxes to ensure the wealthy contribute more. The SNP is currently three votes short of a majority and needs Green support to move forward with its budget plans. The proposed tax changes reflect a broader strategy to address social inequities while mitigating cuts to essential services.