Scotland’s Finance Secretary has unveiled her Budget for 2025/26, which she said “offers hope for Scotland’s future”.
Here, we take a look at the key announcements from Shona Robison’s Budget speech on Wednesday afternoon.
– Record spending on the NHS
The Scottish NHS will receive a record funding settlement of £21 billion next financial year, Ms Robison said.
An increase of £2 billion for frontline NHS boards – a record uplift. That is money that will make it easier for people to access GP appointments, that will improve A&E and ensure more Scots get the care they need in good time
She told MSPs this was her “biggest commitment”, saying: “Today’s budget provides a record £21 billion for health and social care.
“An increase of £2 billion for frontline NHS boards – a record uplift.
“That is money that will make it easier for people to access GP appointments, that will improve A&E and ensure more Scots get the care they need in good time.”
She said it would mean by March 2026 no-one will wait longer than 12 months for a new outpatient appointment, inpatient treatment or day case treatment.
– A record cash award for Scottish councils
Scottish councils will receive a record funding settlement from the Budget.
Ms Robison said: “In 2025-26, the Scottish Government will increase local authority funding by more than £1 billion.
“It will take their total funding to over £15 billion, including £289 million to give real-terms protection to the general revenue grant.”
She said this cash delivers the pay increases agreed for teachers, social care workers and refuse collectors, among others.
– No council tax freeze
There is “no reason” for big increases in council tax, the Finance Secretary has said.
She announced a more than £1 billion uplift for local authorities, but warned that levies should be kept low after a council tax freeze in the past 12 months.
“While it will be for councils to make their own decisions with record funding, there is no reason for big increases in council tax next year,” she said.
– No changes to income tax bands
Income tax rates in Scotland have been frozen until 2026, Ms Robison told MSPs.
She announced that there would be no change in this Parliament to the rates, nor would any more bands be introduced.
🏥 Our budget will deliver £2 billion more for Scotland's NHS - taking funding to a record £21 billion.
— The SNP (@theSNP) December 4, 2024
🩺 We’ll make it easier for people to access GP appointments, improve A&E, and ensure more Scots get the care they need in good time. pic.twitter.com/BZu4OzhNiO
Meanwhile, the amount at which the basic and intermediate rates – 20% and 21% – is paid will increase by 3.5% in the next financial year, which Ms Robison has said will see more paying the lower 19% rate due to increasing wages.
– Mitigation of the two-child benefit cap
The Scottish Government will mitigate the impact of the two-child benefit cap, Ms Robison said.
Ministers north of the border have hit out at the Tory-implemented policy for years, which has not been scrapped by the new Labour administration.
She urged the UK Government to provide the necessary data to allow for the change to be made.
“Be in no doubt that the cap will be scrapped,” she said.
“My challenge to Labour is to work with us – join us in ending the cap in Scotland, give us the information that we need.
“But, either way, let me be crystal clear, this Government is to end the two-child cap and in doing so will lift over 15,000 Scottish children out of poverty.”
– A £34 million boost for the culture budget
The Finance Secretary said she would increase the culture budget by £34 million next year, saying this is “another record increase” and goes beyond Labour’s call for another £25 million.
🎭This Scottish Government budget is transformational for the culture sector in Scotland with a £34 million boost. Excellent culture commitments announced by @ShonaRobisonMSP. Video and thread below🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/cbQIlBwOwC
— Angus Robertson (@AngusRobertson) December 4, 2024
Ms Robison also said music venues would receive non-domestic rates support.
A further £20 million could be provided next year subject to the usual budget process, she said.
– Increased housing funding, following cuts last year
Ms Robison pledged £786 million for affordable housing.
Last year’s budget included cuts to funding for housing and planning but this was partially restored in April during Humza Yousaf’s final days as first minister.
Ms Robison told MSPs: “We are going to ramp up action on housing, investing £768 million in affordable homes.
“It enables over 8,000 new properties for social rent, mid-market rent and low-cost home ownership to be built or acquired this coming year. And returns spending to a higher level than it was two years ago.”
