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Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scots billionaire calls for ministers to get paid ‘millions' in wage rise
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MINISTERS should be handed million-pound salaries in a bid to attract better leaders, Scotland's top entrepreneur has claimed. Sir Tom Hunter also slammed the SNP's record — insisting they must slash taxes to reverse 'managed decline' and save the 'lacklustre' economy. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 2 Sir Tom Hunter wants our leaders to earn top salaries to attract the best talent Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 2 John Swinney earns a fraction of the salary paid to Singapore's president The ex-Sports Division tycoon reckoned Scotland could become the Signapore of the UK through low-tax, pro-business policies. But he said that huge pay hikes were first needed to attract the top political talent to Holyrood. Sir Tom compared First Minister John Swinney's salary of £135,605 to the $2.2million earned by the wealthy Asian city-state's president Tharman Shanmugaratnam. In a apparent swipe at Cabinet ministers like Nats leader Mr Swinney and Health Secretary Neil Gray, Sir Tom added: 'We need to encourage better people into politics. "The hardest job in this country is running the country. 'Can we get the best people doing it? The second hardest job is running the NHS. "Can we get the best people doing this?' The First Minister is entitled to earn £182,438 a year but receives less due to a 16-year ministerial pay freeze — which he has partially lifted to hand colleagues £19,126 hikes. Asked it the best talent is running the country, Sir Tom — Scotland's first home-grown billionaire and one of its richest men — said: 'I would say we could do better.' The Ayrshire-born business boss also blasted the state of public services under the SNP. SNP balsted by opposition over MORE FERRY FIASCO delays Sir Tom said: 'Our education standards are falling, our health service is struggling, and we have a lacklustre economy.' He called on Nats to drastically cut taxes for higher earners and firms to 'welcome entrepreneurs and wealth creators' and boost jobs. A research paper for his Hunter Foundation pointed out how the 48 per cent top rate of income tax — imposed by former First Minister Humza Yousaf at Nats' December 2023 Budget — was exactly double Signapore's 24 per cent. But Sir Tom stopped short of saying Scotland should quit the UK. He said: 'I don't think the economic argument for independence is there yet. 'If it's independence, just more of the same, then the whole of Scotland will be poorer.' Last night Tory economy spokesman Murdo Fraser siezed on Sir Tom's 'utterly damning' takedown of the Conservative's rivals. He hit out: 'He says their policies have been anti-business and anti-growth, that they have ignored Scottish companies, and that Scots' incomes and essential services have been badly damaged as a result.' But Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said ministers welcomed the findings of Sir Tom's philanthropy body. She explained: 'There will be some areas where we will disagree. 'But I'm sure within this report — which I haven't had the opportunity to read in full as yet — there will be areas that we can agree on. 'What Sir Tom does raise is there is something inherently challenging in the system that Scotland finds itself in at the moment and we need to rise to that occasion.'
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Popular European capital to get 14 ‘quiet zones'- and tourists can be fined up to £1,700 for being too noisy
Plus, the European city break with £1.66 beers – and it's just a few hours from the UK FINE FIASCO Popular European capital to get 14 'quiet zones'- and tourists can be fined up to £1,700 for being too noisy A POPULAR European capital is introducing 14 'quiet zones' where tourists can get fined up to £1,700 for being too loud. Lisbon, Portugal, is introducing 14 new quiet zones across the city to try and curb noise levels. Advertisement 4 'Quiet zones' restrict noise in certain areas of the city Credit: Alamy 4 In total, there will be 26 'quiet zones' Credit: Alamy 4 The city will be overhauling it's 'noise map' Credit: Alamy According to a recent study, 13.6 percent of Lisbon's residents are exposed to noise levels above 65 decibels specifically due to traffic, reports Time Out. However, the city council is attempting to change that. Since 2014, the city has been working to manage its noise levels, including producing a noise map. The city already has 12 areas which are considered 'quiet zones' - where environmental noise should be not exceed 55 decibels during the day and no more than 45 at night. Advertisement According to DecibelPro, 55 decibels is equivalent to "a quiet home environment, a residential street, or a normal conversation between two people". And 45 decibels is equivalent to the noise of an average home or normal conversation. Lisbon Municipal Assembly has now approved an overhaul of its 2014 noise map that includes more than doubling the number of zones to 26 in total. Essentially, this means in 26 areas of the city, honking and loud music will not be allowed. Advertisement The quite zones fall under Lisbon's noise law, which is part of a overall noise management plan in the city. If noise is louder than the set limits for day and night, residents can report it through a dedicated noise hotline, which is served by the Municipal Police of Lisbon. Explore Algarve with The Sun's Best of Beaches And for those who are found failing to comply with the law, they could receive a significant fine of up to €2,000 (£1,698.96). For individuals, the amounts can range from €200 (£169.90) to €2,000 (£1,698.96) and for companies or groups, fines are higher ranging from €2,000 (£1,698.96) to €18,000 (£15,290.64). Advertisement Repeat offenders may also face additional consequences including temporary suspension of the activity responsible for the noise. Councillor Rui Cordeiro confirmed that the city is also collaborating with the Port of Lisbon and the APA to address maritime and nightlife noise. A huge new £8billion airport is also due to open near Europe's cheapest city following record tourist numbers. Plus, the European city break with £1.66 beers – and it's just a few hours from the UK. Advertisement
