The Scottish Parliament has approved the 2026-27 Scottish Budget,
including a record £22.5 billion for health and social care and
enhanced cost of living support.
The Budget Bill sets out funding of almost £68 billion with
investment in Scotland's infrastructure, direct support for
household budgets and extra help for families.
The spending plans include:
- continued investment in cost of living measures, including
free prescriptions, free eye examinations, removal of peak rail
fares on Scotrail – and freezing of remaining Scotrail fares
- free tuition fees for young Scots, free school meals for
thousands of children, including all pupils in P1 to P5, and free
bus travel for under-22s and over-60s
- an increase in the Scottish Child Payment and, from 2027-28,
a premium payment of £40 per week for eligible children under 12
months
- an almost £15.7 billion record settlement for local
government to support the services communities rely on including
social care and education
- significant extra funding for universities and colleges, more
than £5 billion to tackle the climate emergency and £4.3 billion
transport funding
- record investment of £926 million for affordable housing
supply, record funding for police and fire services and an
additional £10 million investment in community justice services
Finance Secretary said:
“The Scottish Government's Budget delivers for the people of
Scotland – strengthening our NHS and providing real, practical
support with the cost of living.
“It will improve access to healthcare, including funding for a
network of 16 walk-in GP clinics open seven days per week, and
builds on our game-changing work to eradicate child poverty, with
an increase in the Scottish Child Payment.
“This Budget demonstrates our determination to improve lives
across Scotland, and our plans mean that 55% of taxpayers can
expect to pay less income tax than in the rest of the UK.”
Background
Budget Bill
Scottish Budget
Speaking in parliament, the Finance Secretary also announced the
Scottish Budget 2026-27 will provide a 5% uplift to the
Delivering Equally Safe Fund – equating to almost £1.1 million
additional funding per year for work to prevent and eradicate
violence against women and girls.
