Swinney 'regret' over handling of Holyrood tax powers

Published on Wednesday 24 November 2010 15:55

FINANCE Secretary John Swinney said he "regrets" making wrong judgments amid sustained opposition attack for his handling of Holyrood's tax powers.

• John Swinney speaking at Holyrood today. Picture: Jayne Emsley

The SNP minister defended his position during angry exchanges at the Scottish Parliament after it emerged it could take until 2013 before an incoming administration can use the Scottish Variable Rate (SVR).

Mr Swinney was accused of misleading Parliament by saying as recently as a week ago that he has no plans to use the power, which allows tax to vary by 3p in the pound.

Leaders of Labour, Tory and Liberal Democrats all questioned his decisions, saying Scots had been kept in the dark since the SNP came to power in 2007.

The SVR was voted for in the 1997 referendum that set up the devolved parliament in Edinburgh.

Political parties rounded on the SNP minority government for failing to share information about withheld payments and the length of time it would take to use the tax power.

Mr Swinney set out a 10-minute defence of his actions, but added: "Those judgments have been called into question.

"I made those judgments in good faith for the reasons I have set out but I express my regret to Parliament that, in retrospect, I clearly did not get all those judgments correct."

Labour leader Iain Gray demanded a further apology, saying the minister should consider his position.

• Say sorry for tax 'cover-up' John Swinney told