Scottish independence: No poor income tax - Souter

ROAD tolls should be introduced and income tax abolished for the poorest workers if Scotland became independent, Stagecoach chairman Sir Brian Souter said today.

Brian Souter believes road tolls should be reintroduced post-independence. Picture: Robert Perry

The SNP donor said such a “radical fiscal policy” would “recognise the green challenge” to improve public transport and fund new roads, and be a “very interesting experiment”.

Addressing Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Sir Brian also called for “proper inter-city trains” for the next ScotRail franchise, similar to the Voyagers used by CrossCountry Trains.

He said they said would be a big improvement on the current trains, especially if coupled with faster journeys by removing some speed restrictions, and be “very exciting indeed”.

Sir Brian, who relinquished his role as chief executive of the transport giant last month, indicated social media would play a greater role for the firm following experience from its operations in the United States.

He indicated that “unleashing” the company’s Facebook “Friends” on politicians could help win battles.

Stagecoach might mobilise such popular support if they “did not listen to what people are saying”.