A NEW coalition is demanding Scotland’s leaders take bold action to overhaul the tax system, including taxing wealth fairly.

More than 50 organisations and individuals, including trade unions, charities, economists and academics, have formed the Tax Justice Scotland group.

It warns that Scotland’s finances are now “beyond breaking point” and “tweaking the status quo on tax is not working.”

In a letter sent to the leaders of Scotland’s main political parties, it added that “it’s increasingly clear that fairer — and sometimes higher — taxes are essential to support a more dynamic, prosperous and sustainable economy.”

The campaigners said a tax overhaul was necessary for the government to deliver on its legal commitments to cut child poverty and tackle climate change, while avoiding damaging emergency budget cuts. 

They suggested an “immediate, nationwide property revaluation” be carried out as the “first step toward abolishing the unjust council tax.”

The new group also wants the Scottish government to “kick-start a bold plan to tax wealth more fairly, ensuring those with the most contribute their share to Scotland’s future.”

On behalf of Tax Justice Scotland, Oxfam Scotland’s advocacy adviser Lewis Ryder-Jones said: “Scotland’s finances are perpetually teetering on the edge of a perilous precipice.

“Poverty and inequality are rampant, public services are badly stretched, and the climate crisis is escalating.

“Fairer taxes, alongside a fairer economy, and ensuring public money is well spent, can and must do more to secure a fairer, greener future for everyone.

“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.” 

The group includes the Poverty Alliance, Energy Action Scotland, Friends of the Earth Scotland, Pregnant then Screwed, Save the Children and the Scottish Trades Union Congress.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison is to unveil her Budget on December 4.

The Scottish government said: “Scotland already has the most progressive income tax system in the UK, protecting those earning less and asks those earning more to contribute more.”