John Swinney faces FMQs in wake of Spring Statement

John Swinney will be asked to respond to the UK Government’s Spring Statement at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.

The chancellor’s statement on Wednesday revealed that a Universal Credit benefit will be halved and jobs will be slashed in the civil service, on top of sweeping welfare reforms which were announced on March 18.

The Scottish Government has estimated that the latest announcements will knock approximately £400m off of Holyrood’s block grant by the end of the decade.

All of these announcements have been made against the backdrop of a stagnating and deteriorating economy. GDP growth is expected to stagnate at 1% this year, and annual CPI inflation is forecast to rise from 2.5% in 2024 to 3.2% in 2025.

On Thursday, Swinney will be asked for the Scottish Government’s response to these announcements.

Swinney and other MSPs will also likely pay tribute to SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, who died on Thursday morning at the age of 57.

Following escalating gang-related violence in Edinburgh, with recent shootings in Niddrie and West Pilton, Swinney will also be challenged about what the government is doing to support emergency services and reassure people living in Eastern Edinburgh.

Swinney will also be asked about what the Scottish Government is doing to reduce waiting times for children and teenagers waiting for an autism or ADHD diagnosis.

Questions from Scottish Labour and Conservative leaders will be revealed in Parliament on Thursday.

FMQs start at noon.