Tax Justice Scotland launches with calls to better finance public services
- Area of Work: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 26th November 2024

The ALLIANCE have joined a new campaign group urging action on fair taxation to fund essential services including health and social care.
Tax Justice Scotland, a new campaign calling for a fair approach to taxation in Scotland, has been launched today (26 November) by a coalition of organisations across Scotland, including the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE). The campaign has launched with an open letter to Scotland’s political party leaders, and a briefing that makes the case for fundamental reform to taxation in Scotland.
The ALLIANCE have repeatedly expressed our concern about the pressures on public finances and services, including in a statement issued earlier this year. Essential services like the NHS and social care are in urgent need of further investment and reform, and welcome progress towards a fully human rights based social security system must be accelerated.
We have urged the Scottish Government to embed a human rights budgeting approach, linking taxation and revenue raising policies to the services that contribute to the realisation of everyone’s rights, including in our pre-budget scrutiny evidence to Scottish Parliament committees. The ALLIANCE have joined the steering group for Tax Justice Scotland to work with like-minded organisations and people to advocate for the changes needed.
In a briefing paper, Tax Justice Scotland has set out five initial priorities for action:
- Immediately launch a revaluation of properties across Scotland, as a critical interim step towards the replacement of the unfair Council Tax,
- Be bold on changes to existing taxes, including but not limited to Income Tax,
- Publish a time-bound and ambitions plan to tax wealth more effectively in Scotland,
- Set out concrete options to raise more revenue to invest in climate action,
- and develop proposals for new or reformed local taxes to incentivise businesses towards positive social and environmental behaviours.
On behalf of Tax Justice Scotland, Lewis Ryder-Jones, Oxfam Scotland’s Advocacy Adviser, said:
“Scotland can lead the way in the UK and internationally. It’s time for our leaders to stop dodging the hard but necessary decisions, and instead start making the case that fairer taxes are good for the economy. We need grown-up tax governance that takes Scotland’s future seriously; moving beyond piecemeal, patchwork fixes and instead delivering a tax system that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.”
Tax Justice Scotland brings together a diverse group of supporters which further includes the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, Oxfam Scotland, Poverty Alliance, Scottish Women’s Budget Group, Scottish Trade Unions Congress (STUC) and the Church of Scotland.
You can find out more about the campaign on the Tax Justice Scotland website. You can also find out more about the ALLIANCE’s work in our Fair Finance workstream elsewhere on our website.
End of page.
You may also like:
The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has published a report on the state of economic, social and cultural rights in Scotland.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE welcomes the proposed strategy, though a Human Rights Bill is necessary for full effect.
Continue readingObesity Action Scotland wants to stop unhealthy food sponsorship at Scottish sports events including the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Continue readingResidents of Leith’s famous Banana Flats (Cables Wynd House) have launched their human rights monitoring report.
Continue readingThe Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) report finds troubling failures in progress from institutionalisation to independent living.
Continue readingThe updated SPSO Principles demonstrate a positive shift towards putting people and their human rights at the centre of complaints handling.
Continue readingThe Mental Welfare Commission calls for urgent changes so people with learning disability and complex needs can leave hospital and flourish.
Continue readingMinister announces parts of the National Care Service Bill will be dropped due to a lack of compromise and support.
Continue readingAre you aged 55+, living in the UK, and interested in supporting new research?
Continue readingWe have submitted a parallel report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for its examination of rights in the UK.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE welcome the aims of widening access to palliative care, but actions must be underpinned by resources and accountability.
Continue readingAutistic Knowledge Development and National Autistic Society Scotland celebrate the success of the Embrace Autism programme.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE wants to hear from you if you have experienced barriers to accessing Self-Directed Support.
Continue readingThe First Minister has reiterated his commitment to the continuation of Contact Scotland BSL.
Continue readingThe Policy and Public Affairs programme influenced government policy in many areas over 2024.
Continue readingRaising awareness of key areas of women’s health, challenging myths and stigma through positive dialogue, and lived experience forums.
Continue readingWhilst the draft Covenant is a positive start, it is unclear how it's aims will be realised in practice.
Continue readingWho Cares? Scotland publishes their third Lifelong Rights Issue Paper on Belonging and Connections.
Continue readingSHRC publishes State of the Nation report examining the civil and political rights of all people in Scotland.
Continue readingFill out a survey to share your experiences as a single parent in accessing higher education.
Continue readingALLIANCE signs joint letter calling on political leaders to reaffirm UK commitment to human rights obligations on Human Rights Day 2024.
Continue readingGMC Scotland have published a new report which analyses trends in the medical workforce across the UK.
Continue readingThe government is working with Public Health Scotland to support NHS Boards to operate as effective 'Anchor' institutions.
Continue readingHave your say in Public Health Scotland's (PHS) equality outcome consultation.
Continue readingNHS Education for Scotland (NES) are currently consulting on their equality outcomes for 2025-29.
Continue reading