Finance Secretary has stressed the need for the
UK Government to invest in public services and infrastructure,
ahead of the UK Autumn Budget.
The Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee (F:ISC) is being
hosted in Edinburgh today (Friday 17 October).
The meeting is an opportunity to discuss the current economic and
fiscal context, including priorities for the upcoming Budget, and
the potential for greater fiscal flexibilities for devolved
governments.
Ahead of the meeting, Ms Robison said:
“The UK economy is struggling and the cost of living crisis is
causing real harm for people in Scotland. This is caused by
high inflation, the damaging economic impacts of Brexit, and
uncertainty as a result of decisions taken by UK Government, so
it is vital we see a change in approach.
“We are calling for the Autumn Budget to deliver real support for
public services, infrastructure and the cost of living. The
UK Government must accept that the Westminster economic consensus
has failed and that there is a need for real investment.
“We also need urgent clarity on whether local growth funding
announced for Wales this week – to be delivered directly by the
Welsh Government – will be replicated in Scotland.
“Scotland has been short-changed in the past, and we must not be
left as an afterthought in the UK Government's Budget. And
unless the Chancellor changes course, it will be clearer than
ever that we need the fresh start of independence to support our
public services and deliver a stronger economy that works for
everyone.”
Background
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rt Hon MP will be attending F:ISC for
the first time along with the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary
for Finance and Welsh Language, the Rt Hon MS and MLA, Minister of Finance in the
Northern Ireland Executive.
The Local Growth Fund, supported
by the UK Government, is worth more than £500 million to Wales
over three years starting from April 2026.
