My special guest this week is Graeme McCormick of the SNP.
He is a retired Conveyancing solicitor and lives in Arden by Loch Lomond. He is the Convener of SNP Dumbarton CA and organiser of Helensburgh Branch of the SNP. He is also a director of Business for Scotland. He created AGFRR , annual Ground Floor and Roof Rent on all space in Scotland charged per square metre according to four land types.
It can raise far more public funds than current taxation which it could replace. It can be avoided and has the capacity to pay for a useful Universal Citizens Income of £200 per week for everyone.
The discussion explores the advantages over existing taxes and shows a progressive way to fund our local services. Not everything can be done while we remain in the Union. However as we discuss many of the aspects of this tax can be implemented immediately.
This podcast will continue to bring you the best people and the best ideas around. Our motive is Scottish independence and as it says on the tin. Everything we do, and everything we say is done Through A Scottish Prism.
Sturgeons right hand man runs the Duke of Buccleuch’s estates. Good luck with that idea. That is why nothing gets done on Land Reform.
You didn’t actually listen to the Prism did you?
Part of it was enough actually BB. The tax on all land will not happen. I like you would like it to happen but it wont for the reason I pointed out.
I have heard Graeme on a number of occasions. I was blown away. We can do this now. Lift everyone out of poverty now. I was disappointed in one response from Kate Forbes which was the fact that some millionaires could live in a small house and pay low tax. Too be honest I don’t care what anyone earns if everyone is living a comfortable life with food, heat and hope. I don’t also think that such people would live in such houses. The other argument was giving money to people with addictions who would just blow it. People with no hope fall into addictions but after transition to Graeme’s plan we could have proper addictions and health facilities. It’s a no brainer. In Inverclyde, Peel conglomerate owns all of the Clyde , harbours and docks. Have destroyed Inchgreen Drydock. They would have given much of the land up or else get taxed on the liability. Graeme is being ignored – Why?
It is just too progressive and too equitable for some. All of the problems in the world, poverty, homelessness, addiction, war, climate change all stem from one thing GREED!!!
A fantastic idea! And as Isobel says, we can do it now. Nothing to stop the FM and ScotGov implementing the whole thing immediately. Foreign owners of Highland estates actually paying their way! Not before time.
This was, indeed, a really interesting discussion. I haven’t heard of Graeme or his project. But having listened him, it seems its certainly worth discussion, working out real figures and doing what we can to implement some of it, at least, while we work on Independence. Certainly there will be exceptions to rules, ie a millionaire that lives in a small house, though like you Isobel, I don’t believe that would actually be the case, meaning I believe this is Kate Forbes putting problems in the way. But those and many other ‘scenarios’ are solvable, if we actually want to solve them. There has to be the will to do so.
I agree with Sandy Howden too – that with the Duke of Buccleuch’s right hand man in a top financial job in Scotgov, I think he isn’t going to promote this AT ALL. Thus I see Graeme’s idea having to be pushed on the present Scotgov, to consider it. There has been so little movement in land reform from Sturgeon (not to mention a lot of other issues she’s dragged her heels on!), I just don’t think the government has the will to do ANYTHING for the benefit of Scots anymore. If it doesn’t or can’t include trans, she’s just NOT interested.
So I believe it’s something that has be pushed. This would help SO MANY people in Scotland, the low paid, the disabled dependent on UC, the terminally ill who are refused welfare while they’re dying, pensioners trying to decide on eating or heating… SO MANY people could soooo benefit from this! The poverty this tax could help alleviate is quite considerable & I think it’s something that our govt has a responsibility to consider. If they’re not willing, we have to have this as ammo that the government needs to be replaced, if they aren’t willing to do their best for Scotland.
I was sooo interested in this subject! I hope it won’t be too long before you have Graeme back to tell us more. Nothing is perfect. I know that. But I just see this could make a big different to a lot of people…
Thank you BB. And to Graeme for the amazing work he has put in to pull this new tax system together. Also thanks to Phil and Iain for their input. Their experience in business (as well as your own, OF COURSE, Roddy) means we get to know what business is likely to think of this idea. Thanks everyone. Another good show! *thumbs up!*
What is the title of the book Graeme McCormack has written
? Lorna McGowan
Here you got Lorna.
😉
https://annualgroundrent.scot/#purchase
I shall also post here some links for backstory:
9th July 2020
We must unlock the economic potential of Scottish land
By Graeme McCormick
https://www.thenational.scot/news/18570245.must-unlock-economic-potential-scottish-land/
“Investigation of Potential Land Value Tax Policy Options for Scotland”
https://www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/5dd6984da0491_Land-Value-Tax-Policy-Options-for-Scotland-Final-Report-23-7-18.pdf
“SNP conference backs call for land taxation to transform Scotland #SNP17”
https://sourcenews.scot/snp-conference-backs-call-for-land-taxation-to-transform-scotland-snp17/