LABOUR needs a new direction on tax to protect public services, SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison said today.

She called on Labour to follow the Scottish government’s example in taxing those on higher incomes.

“Choosing instead to target the vulnerable is not leadership – frankly, it is political cowardice,” Ms Robison said.

“If Keir Starmer had done in England what the SNP have done in Scotland with taxation, Labour would not be in the complete fiscal mess that they are in now. Labour needs a new direction — and they should look to Scotland.”

Her comments come a fortnight after the STUC warned that Ms Robison’s own financial strategy could see 10,000 workers tossed on the scrapheap under plans to make £2.6 billion savings by 2030.

Hitting back, Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson said: “Labour is delivering the largest funding settlement in the history of devolution with £50 billion for Scotland’s NHS, schools and public services this year alone. Despite that, the SNP are now gearing up to make cuts to fill their fiscal black hole.

“The SNP government has the money, they have the powers, but they are out of ideas, out of excuses and out of time.”