Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris has called on the Lib/Con coalition to exercise fairness as HM Revenue and Customs announce they are to recover underpaid tax from nearly six million people across the UK.

The true extent of the problem in Glasgow is not yet known although it has been suggested that as many as 14,000 Glaswegians could be affected. Average bills for underpayments over the past two years are thought to be in the region of £1500 on average and could be clawed back in the coming tax year.

Bob Doris MSP said: "This will be a devastating blow for thousands of Glaswegians who have worked hard and paid what they thought was the right level of tax. This is not their fault, the blame lies squarely with the HMRC and the outgoing UK Labour Government.

"The last Labour government is now infamous for its poor management of personal data. I will be expecting a huge number of constituents to be hammered with these unexpected bills and the resulting loss of income in the coming year. This blunder will throw thousands into debt and will take millions out of the city's local economy.

"Labour's track record in data usage is lamentable, ranging from the loss of 25 million child benefit records to billions in overpaid tax credits and the loss of bank account information for 600,000 potential army recruits.

"People expect a responsible government to get something as basic as tax rates correct. People across Glasgow will now have to suffer because of Labour's latest instalment in their catalogue of serious data errors."