THE abolition of the council tax, tougher legislation on the sale of alcohol and tobacco and plans for a referendum on independence were set out today by Alex Salmond.
THE abolition of the council tax, tougher legislation on the sale of alcohol and tobacco and plans for a referendum on independence were set out today by Alex Salmond.
Facing MSPs in the first full session of the Scottish Parliament since the summer recess, the First Minister detailed 15 Bills.
Top of his agenda is abolishing council tax. He said he was committed to replacing the "regressive, unfair tax with a fair system of local taxation based on ability to pay".
He said it would lift 85,000 Scots out of poverty and give a financial boost to low and middle-income homes in the "biggest tax cut in a generation".
He claimed an average family would save between £350 and £535 a year.
And he warned: "I have no doubt Scotland will judge harshly any MSP who votes to keep the council tax in the face of the overwhelming benefit that would flow to millions of ordinary Scots."
Mr Salmond also pledged a Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill. He assured MSPs it would ensure serious and violent offenders were dealt with "firmly and effectively" in prison.
On alcohol, he said the Government would consider prohibiting off-sales to under-21s, the setting of minimum prices and the levying of a "social responsibility" fee on pubs and clubs. A Health Bill will control the promotion of tobacco. It will introduce a registration scheme and restrict the display of tobacco goods.
On independence, Mr Salmond said: "Our aim to introduce a Referendum Bill on Scottish independence is widely known.
"I am delighted to reaffirm our intention to introduce that in 2010."
Mr Salmond said he had a "single over-arching purpose to increase sustainable growth".
"That purpose is supported by our strategic objectives of building a Scotland that is safer and stronger, greener, healthier, smarter, wealthier and fairer."
Plans to replace council tax with a local income tax were slammed by Labour. Acting leader Cathy Jamieson said: "Alex says he didn't mind Thatcherite economics. Now he is bringing forward his very own tartan poll tax."
