Nicola Sturgeon heaps pressure on Rishi Sunak by releasing tax returns from past six years showing sole income was from First Minister salary – and says she only accepts 2009 pay level of £135k
Nicola Sturgeon heaped pressure on Rishi Sunak today by releasing her tax returns for the past six years.
The SNP leader disclosed copies of returns showing her only regular income was her salary as First Minister and an MSP. She said that has been frozen at 2009 levels, and she has been paying the difference back into government coffers.
The documents show she received just over £140,000 of taxable income in 2021-22. The SNP suggested she had forgone more than £20,000 of her salary to make that match take-home pay from 13 years previously.
However, it appears Ms Sturgeon’s gold-plated pension will be payable on her full salary entitlement – £157,000 last year – rather than the reduced level.
Her pot was boosted by £58,000 in 2021-22 through her contributions and those of the taxpayer, with the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme meeting an extra tax charge as a result.
Nicola Sturgeon disclosed copies of returns showing her only regular income was her salary as First Minister and an MSP
The documents show Ms Sturgeon received just over £140,000 of taxable income in 2021-22
Ms Sturgeon said: ‘I previously committed to being open and transparent to the people of Scotland about my own earnings. Today’s publication makes good on that commitment.
‘These documents show clearly that my sole source of income is my job as First Minister – the office which I have the immense privilege of holding. ‘I hope other party leaders, including the Prime Minister, will follow suit in an effort to promote transparency in public office.’
Downing Street today refused to say when Mr Sunak – renowned as one of the wealthiest MPs – will release his tax returns.
Pressure has increased for the transparency move since Nadhim Zahawi was forced out as Tory party chairman after a row over a settlement with HMRC.
In an interview with Piers Morgan on Talk TV last week, Mr Sunak said: ‘They will be published shortly. As you know the tax filing deadline was just a few days ago. So that’s why.
‘So we do the tax-filing deadlines just passed, so they’re just being prepared and they will be released shortly.’
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