FIRST MINISTER John Swinney is facing demands to “prove his mettle” on fair taxation to fight poverty and fund struggling public services.

Organisations including Oxfam Scotland, the Scottish Women’s Budget Group (SWBG), and the STUC have united to call for a radical shake-up in tax.

Oxfam Scotland’s Jamie Livingstone said “to deliver meaningful progress” on his pledges to tackle child poverty, Mr Swinney must now “prove his mettle on fair tax reforms.”

SWBG’s Carmen Martinez called for a “system and country works for everyone, not just the privileged, mostly male, few.”

Urging Mr Swinney to put the STUC’s published and costed progressive tax plans into action, general secretary Roz Foyer added: “STUC analysis has shown that common sense, short-term changes to income and property taxes could raise an additional £1.1 billion for Scotland’s public purse.

“The money is there, now the First Minister must show that the political will is too and prioritise investment in our public service and communities.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The upcoming draft tax strategy will be an opportunity to consider the role of the tax system, strengthen decision-making and stimulate public discourse.”