CAMPAIGNERS have demanded Scotland’s politicians to show “genuine Budget bravery” in defence of public services and to fight poverty.

A coalition — including Oxfam Scotland, the Poverty Alliance, the Child Poverty Action Group, think tank IPPR Scotland, and the STUC — have written to all Scotland’s political leaders to demand action ahead of Tuesday’s Budget.

The SNP-Green Scottish government’s coffers face a £1.5 billion black hole — including the estimated £400 million price-tag to freeze council tax for the coming year.

But the STUC has long argued that more can be done to avoid the cuts widely expected in the Budget, which the Scottish government warns will be the toughest since devolution.

STUC general secretary Roz Foyer has called on the Scottish government to “step up for Scotland” and back the congress’s tax plans which it argues could raise £1.1bn next year, and up to £3.7bn a year thereafter, now charities and think tanks have joined that call.

Campaigners challenged Holyrood leaders to “find consensus to chart a new path for social investment” and vote for measures like raising the higher and top rates to 43 and 48 per cent respectively, as well as introducing a new 44 per cent rate for those earning between £75,000 and £125,140.

Oxfam Scotland’s Jamie Livingstone said: “The Scottish Budget isn’t just about balancing the books, it’s also about rebalancing the scales to ensure that everyone can live fulfilling, dignified lives in fairer, greener and caring communities.

“The First Minister must move beyond short-term tax tweaks, however essential, and show genuine Budget bravery.”

Poverty Alliance’s Ruth Boyle said: “People in Scotland believe in looking out for each other.

“But for too long our political leaders haven’t matched those values with social investment — weakening the shared services we have built together, and taking away the freedom and stability that people need to build lives beyond the injustice of poverty.

“The Scottish government can take responsibility to fill the holes in the foundation of our public good, making progressive use of Scotland’s tax powers to create a stronger economy and a better society.

“People in poverty and struggling on low incomes can no longer wait.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We are proud that Scotland already has the most progressive income tax system in the UK, protecting those who earn less and asking those who earn more to contribute more.”