THE income of the “super rich” in Scotland has rocketed since 2010 according analysis of HMRC statistics.

The figures show that the total income of people earning above £150,000 a year has increased by almost 70% to more than £6bn.

Labour released the data to call for a 50p rate of income tax for the highest earners.

It shows that in 2011 the total income for the highest earners was £3,710m.

By 2015, the latest available full year the figure had increased to £6,220ma rise of 68%.

Kezia Dugdale, Scottish Labour leader, said it was unfair that those at the highest earnings were getting even richer while those on the lowest were continuing to struggle.

She said: ““Austerity has been so damaging to Scotland’s economy. The gap between the richest and the rest has grown. The richest people in Scotland are seeing their incomes balloon while the number of people for who not even a job is protection from poverty is at its highest point since the Scottish Parliament was established.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. We can make different choices and build an economy that works for working class people, protects public services, and asks the richest to pay their fair share so we all benefit.

She said increasing the tax rate for the richest would provide cash for services that would benefit everyone.

Ms Dugdale added: “Labour’s plan for a fairer Scotland means investing more in our public services, increasing child benefit to put money back into the pockets of working class families and, stimulating economic growth through investment, not more cuts.”