Scottish Parliament Poised to Approve Budget for 2025-26 Amid Political Divisions
The Budget Bill is expected to pass with backing from the Scottish Greens and Liberal Democrats, while Scottish Labour abstains and Conservatives oppose.
The Scottish Parliament is gearing up to pass the SNP’s Budget Bill for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with a crucial Stage 3 vote scheduled for Tuesday.
The Budget, which outlines tax and spending plans, is anticipated to gain approval as key political alliances form in support of the proposal.
The Scottish Greens and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have entered separate agreements with the SNP to back the Budget, adding to its prospects for passage.
In contrast, Scottish Labour has announced that it will abstain from voting, while the Scottish Conservatives are expected to oppose the Bill outright.
First Minister John Swinney emphasized the importance of the Budget in enhancing capacity in primary care services, particularly in addressing cardiovascular health.
Highlighting a £10.5 million investment aimed at assisting general practitioners, Swinney asserted the need for improved GP access, stating that the Budget responds to public concerns around health service capacity.
Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy criticized the Budget, calling it damaging and accusing the SNP of raising taxes without stimulating growth, particularly in light of recent UK Labour Government budget proposals.
Hoy described this session as a pivotal moment to curtail the SNP's fiscal strategies that he claims burden the already strained economic landscape for Scots.
Scottish Labour’s finance spokesman, Michael Marra, acknowledged that the Budget’s feasibility stems from a £5.2 billion uplift from the UK Government, marking a significant budget settlement for Scotland since the inception of devolution.
Marra noted that while the SNP is likely to pass the Budget, it lacks the necessary reforms to improve public services comprehensively.
The Scottish Greens proudly outlined their achievements secured through negotiations with the SNP, such as implementing a trial bus fare cap and expanding free school meals.
Green MSP Ross Greer contrasted his party's proactive stance with that of Scottish Labour, which he claimed failed to advocate for significant changes.
Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton outlined that the Budget aligns with various priorities of his party, encompassing drug treatment initiatives and neonatal withdrawal services, framing it as a preliminary move towards addressing long-standing issues influenced by SNP governance.
As the proceedings unfold in the Scottish Parliament, the future implications of the Budget on public services and economic policy remain a focal point of discussion among Scottish political factions.
The Budget, which outlines tax and spending plans, is anticipated to gain approval as key political alliances form in support of the proposal.
The Scottish Greens and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have entered separate agreements with the SNP to back the Budget, adding to its prospects for passage.
In contrast, Scottish Labour has announced that it will abstain from voting, while the Scottish Conservatives are expected to oppose the Bill outright.
First Minister John Swinney emphasized the importance of the Budget in enhancing capacity in primary care services, particularly in addressing cardiovascular health.
Highlighting a £10.5 million investment aimed at assisting general practitioners, Swinney asserted the need for improved GP access, stating that the Budget responds to public concerns around health service capacity.
Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy criticized the Budget, calling it damaging and accusing the SNP of raising taxes without stimulating growth, particularly in light of recent UK Labour Government budget proposals.
Hoy described this session as a pivotal moment to curtail the SNP's fiscal strategies that he claims burden the already strained economic landscape for Scots.
Scottish Labour’s finance spokesman, Michael Marra, acknowledged that the Budget’s feasibility stems from a £5.2 billion uplift from the UK Government, marking a significant budget settlement for Scotland since the inception of devolution.
Marra noted that while the SNP is likely to pass the Budget, it lacks the necessary reforms to improve public services comprehensively.
The Scottish Greens proudly outlined their achievements secured through negotiations with the SNP, such as implementing a trial bus fare cap and expanding free school meals.
Green MSP Ross Greer contrasted his party's proactive stance with that of Scottish Labour, which he claimed failed to advocate for significant changes.
Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton outlined that the Budget aligns with various priorities of his party, encompassing drug treatment initiatives and neonatal withdrawal services, framing it as a preliminary move towards addressing long-standing issues influenced by SNP governance.
As the proceedings unfold in the Scottish Parliament, the future implications of the Budget on public services and economic policy remain a focal point of discussion among Scottish political factions.
