MSP calls for tax increase

LOTHIANs Labour MSP George Foulkes has challenged Alex Salmond and his Finance Minister to use Scotland's tax powers to beat the expected cuts in public services.

He told MSPs: "I'm fed up coming here and hearing the continual whine from the First Minister and John Swinney that they don't have the fiscal powers.

"They have the powers to impose up to 3p on income tax. That would give them 1 billion, but they are not prepared to do it.

"What they really want is the English taxpayer to stump up for better services in Scotland."