KATE Forbes has said the SNP will “never give up on independence” following the announcement that her party has made a deal with the LibDems to pass the Scottish Budget.
The LibDems had previously said they would only back the Scottish Government’s Budget if not one “penny” of spending goes towards independence.
On Tuesday, Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton claimed this had been agreed, telling media: "It’s the first time in this parliament that nothing will be spent on independence."
The SNP’s 2025/26 draft Budget does not mention Scottish independence, nor does it have any spending plans for the cause. It does include funding for the constitution division.
The 2024/25 Budget from last year included funding to “provide the people of Scotland with further information on the opportunities of an independent Scotland”, as well as including mention of the benefits of independence in the foreword.
On Wednesday, at a tour of the Celtic Renewables biorefinery in Grangemouth, the Deputy First Minister said her party will never give up on pursuing independence and that the Scottish Government is “focused” on the cause.
Forbes said a deal was reached with the LibDems around a number of issues, like more funding for the NHS.
She said: “The SNP will never give up on independence.
“We will never give up on pursuing independence, and you can rest assured that we will continue to focus and recognise the mandate that we have in progressing the cause for independence.”
Forbes added: “There has never been, to my knowledge, there isn't a budget line.
“It just states independence because this is a government that is focused on that cause as a result of the people of Scotland electing us.
“There's never been a one-off line, and we have come to an agreement with the LibDems on a number of issues, further funding for the NHS for example, and that's the basis on which we have secured the deal with the LibDems.”
In a statement on Tuesday, the Scottish Government confirmed it had reached an agreement with the Greens and the LibDems.
The Finance Secretary Shona Robison said she would table amendments to the 2025-26 Budget Bill to allocate £16.7 million in funding to:
- Bolster drug and alcohol services, including £1 million for specialist support for babies born addicted to drugs
- Begin a £2 bus fare cap pilot in one regional transport area
- Further strengthen support for hospices from £4 million to £5 million
- Increase Nature Restoration by £3 million to its highest ever level Invest in targeted support for the College sector and protect Corseford College
- Extend free school meal eligibility in S1-S3 in eight local authority areas for pupils in receipt of Scottish Child Payment
- Offer flexibility for Orkney Island Council in terms of capital and resource funding
Following the agreement being made with the Greens and LibDems, Robison said: “We are determined to deliver on the issues that matter most to the people of Scotland – and that is why this Budget invests in public services and in eradicating child poverty, acts in the face of the climate emergency, and supports jobs.
“The First Minister was clear that we would bring forward a Budget by Scotland for Scotland, and the negotiations we have taken forward have been in that spirit. These additional initiatives demonstrate the value of a progressive approach and dialogue.
“During every stage of this process the Liberal Democrats and the Greens have engaged in our discussions in a positive and constructive manner.
“Through seeking compromise I believe we are delivering a Budget that will strengthen services and support our communities. With the agreements with these two parties now in place this will secure a majority in parliament in support of the Budget Bill.”
The Scottish Government Budget proposes plans for the winter fuel payment to be restored for Scottish pensioners from 2026 following the UK Government’s decision to cut the benefit last year.
The Budget also contains funding to go towards scrapping the two-child benefit cap in Scotland from 2026, which the Labour Government have decided to keep in place despite objecting against the previous Tory administration when it was brought in.
The final Holyrood vote on the Budget Bill will take place in February.
