John Swinney faces FMQs after unveiling tax and spending plans

John Swinney will face First Minister’s Questions just two days after his finance secretary unveiled the SNP’s tax and spending plans for the coming year.

The Scottish Budget includes changes to income tax, increases for Scottish child payments, and separate taxes on mansions and private jets.

Scotland’s finance secretary said there was a “brighter future” under her plans. However, critics have argued that the budget falls short and merely offers a “sticking plaster” for long-term issues.

The Scottish Child Payment – payable to parents in receipt of certain benefits – will be increased to £40 per week for families with a child under one year old in 2027/28.

Taxpayers earning below the median income will save around £40 a year – or 75p a week – after thresholds for the basic and intermediate rates of income tax were increased by 7.4%.

However, finance secretary Shona Robison also announced further threshold freezes for the higher rate, advanced rate, and top rate thresholds in the coming years.

Freezing these higher thresholds raises additional revenue for the government as more taxpayers are dragged into paying tax at a higher rate as wages increase with inflation.

The Scottish Government will also introduce a mansion tax and a private jet tax, policies proposed by the Scottish Greens.

Robison announced that two new council tax bands would be brought in for homes worth more than £1m, as well as an updated valuation by April 2028.

An airport departure tax will also be introduced by April next year, with a consultation on a potential exemption for the Highlands and Islands, while the private jet tax is expected to be implemented at a later date.

Robison also confirmed the Scottish Government will cut 11,000 public sector jobs as part of £1.5bn in efficiency savings, which she said would need to be made to “protect investment in frontline services”.

Swinney’s Budget plans have been criticised by both Scottish Labour and Conservative members.

However, the Budget is expected to pass into law, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar vowing not to oppose the plans – instead focusing on May’s election.

Nonetheless, the First Minister is likely to be questioned about his Budget plans.

FMQs will be broadcast from the Scottish Parliament at midday on Thursday.