LABOUR FAILS TO BACK NHS INVESTMENT AND ANTI-POVERTY MEASURES

Natalie Don-Innes, the MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, has said that the Scottish Government's Budget for 2025/26, which has been passed by MSPs at Holyrood this week, delivers progress for Scotland.

While Green and Liberal Democrat MSPs supported the Budget, Anas Sarwar’s Labour Party failed to stand up for the NHS, the fight against child poverty, and the future of Grangemouth by refusing to back it.

By abstaining, Labour failed to support a Budget that delivers:

- Record NHS funding of £21 billion

- Restoration of winter fuel payments for pensioners—which Labour scrapped across the UK

- Scrapping of Labour’s cruel two-child benefit cap

- Investment to secure a just transition for Grangemouth and its workforce

- A £158 million boost for Education and Skills, protecting teacher numbers

- Lower income tax for most Scots compared to the rest of the UK

- The most generous business rates relief in the UK

- A £34 million uplift for Scotland’s culture sector—going beyond Labour’s previous demands

- A record £15 billion settlement for local government

- £768 million for affordable housing

Welcoming the Budget’s passing, Natalie Don-Innes MSP said:

“I am pleased that John Swinney’s first Budget as First Minister was passed, delivering real progress on the priorities that matter to people in Renfrewshire and across Scotland.

“This Budget provides record investment in our NHS, more affordable homes, and the restoration of winter fuel payments for pensioners—all while ensuring Scotland has the fairest tax system in the UK, where most people pay less than they would elsewhere in Britain.”

“While the SNP worked constructively with other parties to deliver this Budget, Labour—alongside the Tories—chose to sit on the sidelines. Anas Sarwar talks a big game, but when it comes to action, he follows orders from his bosses in London rather than standing up for Scotland.

“The SNP, on the other hand, has listened to people's concerns and is taking strong action to deliver on their priorities."