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SNP denies freezing out elderly | SNP denies freezing out elderly |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Scottish Labour leader has accused the government of wanting to means test the free central heating programme. | The Scottish Labour leader has accused the government of wanting to means test the free central heating programme. |
During her first outing at question time, Wendy Alexander said the ruling SNP administration was aiming to target the scheme at the poorest pensioners. | During her first outing at question time, Wendy Alexander said the ruling SNP administration was aiming to target the scheme at the poorest pensioners. |
But First Minister Alex Salmond said a current review was planned to improve delivery of the policy. | But First Minister Alex Salmond said a current review was planned to improve delivery of the policy. |
Meanwhile, Tory leader Annabel Goldie used a minister's shareholdings to attack SNP plans to scrap council tax. | Meanwhile, Tory leader Annabel Goldie used a minister's shareholdings to attack SNP plans to scrap council tax. |
Mr Salmond also said that Scotland had started negotiations on an £80m fund, held by the energy regulator, that could be used to boost green energy projects. | Mr Salmond also said that Scotland had started negotiations on an £80m fund, held by the energy regulator, that could be used to boost green energy projects. |
A comfortably off man with a nice little portfolio of shares would not pay a penny of the SNP's income tax on that dividend income Annabel GoldieScottish Tory leader | A comfortably off man with a nice little portfolio of shares would not pay a penny of the SNP's income tax on that dividend income Annabel GoldieScottish Tory leader |
But Liberal Democrat Leader Nicol Stephen said Mr Salmond had failed on a pledge to get the cash within the first 100 days of taking office. | But Liberal Democrat Leader Nicol Stephen said Mr Salmond had failed on a pledge to get the cash within the first 100 days of taking office. |
Ms Alexander pointed out that this week marked the seventh anniversary of Labour announcing a scheme to give free central heating to pensioners, benefiting 80,000 people and cutting winter deaths by 70% in five years. | Ms Alexander pointed out that this week marked the seventh anniversary of Labour announcing a scheme to give free central heating to pensioners, benefiting 80,000 people and cutting winter deaths by 70% in five years. |
She went on to claim that communities minister Stewart Maxwell had signalled the move to means-testing during a meeting of the Scottish Parliament's Local Government Committee. | She went on to claim that communities minister Stewart Maxwell had signalled the move to means-testing during a meeting of the Scottish Parliament's Local Government Committee. |
"The truth is that we extended this scheme, and he spoke about restricting it," she said. | "The truth is that we extended this scheme, and he spoke about restricting it," she said. |
"Is that review under way - or have you simply ditched it because you've once again been rumbled?" | "Is that review under way - or have you simply ditched it because you've once again been rumbled?" |
'Portfolio of shares' | 'Portfolio of shares' |
But the first minister insisted his government was aiming to "enhance and improve" the scheme, adding: "We are entirely committed to the statutory target to eradicate fuel poverty. | But the first minister insisted his government was aiming to "enhance and improve" the scheme, adding: "We are entirely committed to the statutory target to eradicate fuel poverty. |
"The description by Wendy Alexander of what [Mr Maxwell] said at the committee is not accurate." | "The description by Wendy Alexander of what [Mr Maxwell] said at the committee is not accurate." |
In a criticism of transport minister Stewart Stevenson, although she did not name him in the chamber, Ms Goldie said of the SNP's plans to replace council tax with local income tax: "Under the proposals, a hard-working nurse would pay tax. | In a criticism of transport minister Stewart Stevenson, although she did not name him in the chamber, Ms Goldie said of the SNP's plans to replace council tax with local income tax: "Under the proposals, a hard-working nurse would pay tax. |
"But, for example, a comfortably off man with a nice little portfolio of shares receiving dividend income of, say, £20,000 a year, he would not pay a penny of the SNP's income tax on that dividend income." | "But, for example, a comfortably off man with a nice little portfolio of shares receiving dividend income of, say, £20,000 a year, he would not pay a penny of the SNP's income tax on that dividend income." |
Mr Salmond said he could safely conclude that all his ministers would gladly pay the local income tax, adding: "There is a huge difficulty in trying to charge investment income based on the costs of administration which would be enormous. | Mr Salmond said he could safely conclude that all his ministers would gladly pay the local income tax, adding: "There is a huge difficulty in trying to charge investment income based on the costs of administration which would be enormous. |
"What we can say is that local income tax, because it's based on people's income, must be inherently fairer than a council tax which for many people, including the vast majority of Scotland's pensioners bears no relationship whatsoever to their income." | "What we can say is that local income tax, because it's based on people's income, must be inherently fairer than a council tax which for many people, including the vast majority of Scotland's pensioners bears no relationship whatsoever to their income." |
Mr Salmond also said talks were taking place over money held by Ofgem as part of the fossil fuel levy - paid by suppliers of electricity from non-renewable energy sources and used to promote renewable power. | Mr Salmond also said talks were taking place over money held by Ofgem as part of the fossil fuel levy - paid by suppliers of electricity from non-renewable energy sources and used to promote renewable power. |
Mr Stephen said: "The First Minister's 100-day manifesto said he would access money from the fossil fuel levy and use it for renewable energy projects in Scotland." | Mr Stephen said: "The First Minister's 100-day manifesto said he would access money from the fossil fuel levy and use it for renewable energy projects in Scotland." |
"Has he kept that promise?" | "Has he kept that promise?" |
Pointing out that the previous administration had not made an approach to Ofgem for the money, Mr Salmond added: "That is a position this Scottish Government has rectified by opening negotiations to see that money comes back to Scotland." | Pointing out that the previous administration had not made an approach to Ofgem for the money, Mr Salmond added: "That is a position this Scottish Government has rectified by opening negotiations to see that money comes back to Scotland." |
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