Armed Forces staff in Scotland could have their salaries topped up to offset the SNP’s income tax hikes, says the Defence Secretary.
Kirstene Hair, the Scottish Conservative MP for Angus, has been calling for the Ministry of Defence to help out those affected by the changes, which will hit personnel based at Leuchars and RM Condor.
About 8,000 members of the Army and Navy are set to be affected.
The new tax regime means Scots earning more than £26,000 will have less take-home pay than their English counterparts.
Defence Secretay Gavin Williamson said: “The SNP’s tax hike unfairly hits 70% of our brave and loyal service personnel based in Scotland, leaving thousands of them out of pocket. This is wrong.
“I am working to ensure that those who are affected do not feel they are being punished by serving in Scotland.
“We are urgently reviewing how we can counter this unjustified raid on the pay packets of our armed forces.”
It is thought a staff sergeant in the Armed Forces would pay an extra £117 a year in Scotland, compared with those based south of the border.
An Army major would pay an extra £660 while a lieutenant colonel would pay £863 extra
A full colonel would have to pay an extra £1,013.
Ms Hair said: “Yet again the UK Government is having to clear up the SNP’s mess. This hike on taxation is unwanted and unnecessary.
“It’s clear the SNP has no respect for military staff, and no respect for people who work hard to do their best for their family.”
