Tax Justice Scotland letter calls for action on tax in the new parliament
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 28th May 2026
The letter urges honesty on the financial challenges facing Scotland, and progressing reforms to council tax.
As part of the Tax Justice Scotland (TJS) campaign, the ALLIANCE has signed an open letter to First Minister, John Swinney, and Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary, Jenny Gilruth. We’re asking the First Minister to deliver some practical, overdue reforms that already have strong public backing like replacing Council Tax with a fairer alternative and delivering the planned tax on pollution-spewing private jets sooner.
Based on property values from 1991, the current Council Tax system is not an effective means of funding local councils, and is contributing to severe pressure on local finances that have led to cuts and restrictions to social care provision. Earlier this year, the ALLIANCE engaged with members and responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Council Tax reform, in which we welcomed proposed minor reforms in the short term but urged consideration of a full replacement as soon as possible.
You can read the full letter on the Tax Justice Scotland website here.
The ALLIANCE is a member of the Tax Justice Scotland steering group. We recognise that a well-designed tax system is needed to ensure sustainable funding for the essential services our members and the people we support rely on, including social care and the wide range of programmes delivered by the third sector.
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