Defending Scotland’s Social Model

That the Parliament notes the publication of The Hunter Foundation’s report, Lessons from Singapore for Scotland’s Economy, and expresses concern over its central thesis that Scotland should seek to emulate some of Singapore’s economic and governance models; believes that Scotland’s social and political values are fundamentally rooted in democratic accountability, universal public services and social solidarity; considers that Singapore’s highly centralised, low tax and low welfare approach implemented within a semi-authoritarian framework is incompatible with Scotland’s commitment to equity and collective responsibility; believes that attempts to replicate such a model in Scotland would only risk deepening social inequality by undermining the founding principles of the welfare state and healthcare “free at the point of need”; rejects calls for what it sees as a “race to the bottom” in tax and spending; reaffirms its commitment to progressive taxation and sustained investment in public services, and suggests that what it considers as fair and bold fiscal reforms such as wealth taxes, expanding higher rate income tax bands and the closure of regressive tax loopholes would help ensure a just, inclusive, and resilient Scottish economy for all citizens.