SNP BUDGET PRIORITISES REDUCING INEQUALITY

BUDGET BILL PASSES FIRST STAGE

 

Plans to target funding at the Scottish Government’s key missions amid an “extremely challenging” financial situation have been endorsed by the Scottish Parliament.

MSPs have voted for the general principles of the Scottish Budget Bill, which prioritises tackling the cost of living crisis and reducing inequality through record social security funding. 

Among other priorities, the Budget includes:

  • £6.3 billion for social security benefits, which will all be increased in line with inflation. This is £1.1 billion more than the funding received from the UK Government for social security, demonstrating the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling poverty.

  • £13.2 billion for frontline NHS boards, with additional investment of more than half a billion – an uplift of over 4%.

  • Record funding of more than £14 billion for local government, including £144 million to enable local authorities to freeze Council Tax rates at their current levels.

  • More than £1.5 billion for policing to support frontline services and key priorities such as body-worn cameras, as well as nearly £400 million to support the fire service.

  • £200 million to help tackle the poverty-related attainment gap, up to £1.5 million to cancel school meal debt and almost £390 million to protect teacher numbers and fund the teacher pay deal.

  • Almost £2.5 billion for public transport to provide viable alternatives to car use and increased investment of £220 million in active travel to promote walking, wheeling and cycling.

SNP Budget Passes First Stage

While cruel Westminster policies such as the Tory-implemented and Labour-backed two child cap hammer struggling households - the SNP is doing everything possible to stand up for and support people in Renfrewshire North and West and beyond.

 

Commenting, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“I am pleased that once again, the SNP Scottish Government is investing in the people of Scotland and tackling poverty through investment of £6.3 billion in social security support, over £1 billion more than the Scottish Government receives from the UK government through block grant adjustments, to support over 1.2 million people.

"Social Security Scotland support goes directly to low income households and disadvantaged communities - including £457 million for the game-changing Scottish Child Payment which now reaches over 320,000 families. 

“The record spend on our social security system ensures that low-income families are supported through the Westminster cost of living crisis, older people are able to heat their homes over winter and disabled people are enabled to live full and independent lives. 

"While cruel Westminster policies such as the Tory-implemented and Labour-backed two child cap hammer struggling households - the SNP is doing everything possible to stand up for and support people in Renfrewshire North and West and beyond."