SNP Government Budget Clears First Hurdle After Deals with Opposition Parties
The SNP’s budget moves forward as opposition parties reach agreements with John Swinney
SNP, Scotland, Budget, John Swinney, NHS, Scottish Greens, Lib Dems, Alba, Scottish Labour, Conservatives
Edinburgh: The SNP Government’s budget is moving ahead after some deals were made. John Swinney, the finance minister, has secured support from the Scottish Greens and the Lib Dems.
Both parties reached separate agreements to back the budget for the upcoming year. Alba MSP Ash Regan also confirmed her support for the budget.
Scottish Labour plans to abstain from voting on the budget, while the Conservatives will vote against it. The final vote will take place in Holyrood later this month.
Shona Robison stated that the budget aims to reduce NHS waiting times. She emphasized that it targets funding to improve the lives of Scottish people.
The budget allocates £21.7 billion for health and social care, including £200 million to tackle waiting times and delayed discharges.
Robison noted that the NHS is still under pressure from the pandemic. Reducing this pressure is a key goal of the budget.
She mentioned plans to increase capacity, ensuring no one waits more than a year for treatment by March 2026. This will create over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in the coming year.
The agreements made by the Greens and Lib Dems total £16.7 million. The Lib Dems secured more funding for drug services and hospices.
The Greens received a commitment for a regional scheme to cap bus fares at £2. Ministers also promised to address the two-child benefit cap, though no funds are allocated for this in the 2025/26 plans.
The Scottish Conservatives have voiced strong opposition to the budget. Leader Russell Findlay criticized the SNP for not supporting businesses, especially in the hospitality sector.
Findlay claimed the SNP’s budget would harm economic growth and the interests of Scottish workers. He stated that his party received nothing from the budget negotiations.
Scottish Labour’s finance spokesman, Michael Marra, said the government is failing and lacks a vision for the future. He pointed out that the SNP’s budget would not bring the necessary changes for Scotland.
Marra highlighted that many Scots are on NHS waiting lists and public services are under strain. He believes the SNP’s budget will not deliver the change Scotland needs.