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GRAHAM GRANT: Grasping Nationalists want a ‘conversation’ on new wealth taxes – with Burnham as PM, they’re pushing on an open door
Columnist Graham Grant argues that the SNP's long-standing push for a "conversation" on new wealth taxes has been given fresh impetus by Andy Burnham's arrival as Prime Minister, since Burnham has already signalled a willingness to raise taxes on the wealthy. The piece frames this as a significant shift, suggesting Nationalist politicians who have previously called for higher levies on assets and income will find a much more receptive audience in Downing Street than under previous UK governments.
The article notes that Burnham has signalled the return of the 50p top rate of income tax, warning that measures to ease the cost of living will need to be funded by "the better off". This comes amid a wider reshuffle following his rapid rise to power, in which Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Steve Reed and Peter Kyle were removed from Cabinet, John Healey was made Chancellor, Ed Miliband moved to Foreign Secretary, and Angela Rayner took a senior Downing Street role. Grant's column casts these developments, alongside Burnham's early backing of a "death tax" to fund social care, as evidence that his government is inclined towards higher taxation of wealth, a stance the SNP is keen to encourage further.
In short
- Graham Grant says SNP's wealth tax push suits new PM Andy Burnham.
- Burnham signals return of 50p top income tax rate.
- Cost-of-living support to be funded by wealthier taxpayers.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Advocates of a wealth tax argue that decades of rising asset values have left wealth concentrated in ever fewer hands while wages have stagnated, so asking the wealthiest to contribute more is a matter of basic fairness and social solidarity, particularly when public services face real-terms cuts. They see opening a public conversation on the issue as a reasonable, democratic first step rather than a fixed policy, and argue that a more sympathetic UK government would simply remove an obstacle to a debate that many voters already want to have.
The case against
Opponents contend that wealth taxes are notoriously difficult to design and administer fairly, since valuing illiquid assets such as farms, family businesses or pensions is complex and can force sales simply to meet a tax bill. They warn that such measures risk driving entrepreneurs, investors and high earners away from Scotland or the UK altogether, undermining the tax base and economic growth that fund public services in the first place, and argue that framing the policy as inevitable under a different leadership pre-empts a debate that should weigh these practical costs seriously.
Explained simply
Andy Burnham is now Prime Minister and has signalled his government will raise taxes on the wealthy to help fund public services. This includes restoring a higher top rate of income tax and introducing a "death tax" on estates to pay for social care.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) is a Scottish political party that has long campaigned for new taxes on wealth and large assets, arguing that the wealthy should contribute more to fund public services.
Under previous UK governments, the SNP's proposals for wealth taxes received little serious consideration in Westminster. Burnham's apparent willingness to increase taxation on the wealthy represents a significant shift that could create space for the discussions the SNP has been seeking.