Reform vows to cut Scottish income tax below UK rate

"Reform is proposing to scrap Scotland's extra bands and align the remaining bands with rates in England. Thereafter the party aims to cut the rates by 1p - creating a 19p basic rate, a 39p higher rate and a 44p additional rate. The manifesto sets out plans to cut each band by up to 3p lower than in England by the end of the parliamentary term."

"Malcolm Offord, the party's leader in Scotland, said the tax system north of the border would be brought into line with the rest of the UK's before being cut. Offord, a former Conservative peer, also pledged to reform the NHS, cut "unsustainable" welfare spending and "rehabilitate" the North Sea oil and gas industry."

"Farage, who also spoke at the conference, said his party stood "with our people, not those who come to Britain illegally". He also predicted Reform would become Holyrood's second largest party, though he said the party could "surprise" some people."

Reform UK launched its Scottish manifesto for the Holyrood election, with party leader Malcolm Offord vowing to reduce Scottish income tax below English levels. The party plans to first align Scotland's six income tax bands with England's three bands, then cut rates by 1p initially and up to 3p by the end of the parliamentary term. Offord, a former Conservative peer who defected to Reform in December, aims to become Scotland's next first minister. Beyond tax reform, the manifesto includes pledges to reform the NHS, reduce welfare spending, and rehabilitate the North Sea oil and gas industry. Nigel Farage predicted Reform would become Holyrood's second largest party, while the party seeks to substantially increase its current representation of one MSP.

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