Scottish Budget Plans by Finance Secretary Shona Robison Set for First Vote
Finance Secretary Shona Robison’s budget plans are likely to pass the first vote, focusing on health and social care funding.
Scotland, NHS, Budget, Shona Robison, Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh: The SNP’s Budget Bill is up for its first parliamentary vote on Tuesday. Finance Secretary Shona Robison highlighted a £21.7 billion allocation for health and social care.
The Budget is expected to pass the first stage at the Scottish Parliament. This follows agreements made with opposition parties.
The Scottish Greens and Scottish Liberal Democrats have both agreed to support the Budget. Alba MSP Ash Regan has also confirmed her vote in favor.
Scottish Labour plans to abstain from voting on the tax and spending plans. Meanwhile, the Conservatives are likely to oppose the Budget.
A final vote on the tax and spending plans will take place later this month in Holyrood.
Robison stated that the funds aim to reduce NHS waiting times. She emphasized the importance of the Scottish Budget for improving lives.
Robison mentioned, “The Budget provides £21.7 billion for health and social care, including £200 million to tackle waiting times.”
She acknowledged the NHS is under pressure from the pandemic’s lingering effects. Relieving this pressure is a key goal.
Robison committed to increasing capacity to ensure no one waits over a year for treatment by March 2026.
She added that the proposed changes will create over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in the coming year.
The agreements made by the Greens and Lib Dems will cost £16.7 million in total. The Lib Dems secured more funding for drug services and hospices.
The Greens received a pledge for a regional scheme to cap bus fares at £2. Ministers also promised to address the two-child benefit cap’s effects.
However, opponents noted that no funds are allocated for this in the 2025/26 spending plans.