The Scottish Budget has been approved by Parliament, ensuring
funding can be targeted towards the missions of supporting public
services, growing the economy and tackling poverty.
MSPs have passed the 2024-25 Scottish Budget Bill, with spending
commitments including:
- £13.2 billion for frontline NHS boards, over £1.5 billion for
policing and nearly £400 million to support the fire service
- Over £5 billion to help create jobs, support businesses, aid
the transition to net zero and fund public transport to provide
viable alternatives to car use
- £6.3 billion for social security benefits, £200 million to
help tackle the poverty-related attainment gap and £1.5 million
to cancel school meal debt
- Over £14 billion for local authorities – the highest
settlement yet delivered for local government
Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary said:
“I am pleased that Parliament has approved our Budget, allowing
us to enact our spending plans in the face of a deeply
challenging financial situation. This is a Budget which stays
true to our progressive values: investing in services, growing
our economy, protecting vulnerable people and tackling the
climate emergency.
“We have taken decisions which prioritise funding in the areas
that have the greatest impact on the quality of life for the
people of Scotland – despite the challenges caused in large part
by the UK Government’s failure to invest in public services and
infrastructure. Our block grant funding from the UK Government
has fallen in real terms since 2022-23. Our capital spending
power is due to contract by almost 10 per cent in real terms over
five years – that’s around £1.6 billion in total, equivalent to
the cost of building a large hospital.
“I have written to the Chancellor urging him to change course,
using next week’s Spring Budget to increase funding for public
services and infrastructure instead of cutting taxes.”
Background
Budget (Scotland) (No.3)
Bill - stage 3 debate: Deputy First Minister speech
The Budget includes more than £1.3 billion for the Wellbeing
Economy, £1 billion for the road network, around £2.7 billion for
public transport and active travel, almost £556 million in the
Affordable Housing Supply Programme, more than £400 million for
energy efficiency upgrades and to promote the circular economy,
and an increase of £128 million to the education and skills
budget.
Chancellor urged to
prioritise investment in public services
Summary of UK Economic and
Fiscal Outlook from Office of the Chief Economic Adviser
