Sturgeon's 'hypocrisy' over income tax dodge

NICOLA Sturgeon has been branded a "hypocrite" after she used a tax wheeze to dodge her own income tax rates.

- By David Walker Scottish Politics Reporter

Under her leadership, the Scottish Government hiked up taxes for anyone earning over £28,500, making Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK.

But as soon as she stepped down as First Minister, she set up her own limited company for outside earnings.

It means that she can pay corporation tax to the UK Government, although her representatives have firmly denied she is doing so.

She withdrew £10,000 from her company as a "dividend' on January 31 and potentially saved £1,200 by not having this paid to her in normal terms.

The payment was not liable for the higher rates of income tax she levied on Scots wages.

Dividends are taxed at lower rates by Westminster, with the receipts going to the UK taxman instead of Revenue Scotland, the SNP's collection agency.