Kate Forbes says Budget will 'accelerate Covid recovery'

Scotland’s finance secretary has promised that the 2022/23 Budget will provide “stability and support” for taxpayers and “accelerate the Covid recovery”.

Katie Forbes also says the Budget will help transition Scotland to becoming more prosperous, fairer and greener.

Speaking ahead of delivering the Budget to Parliament on Thursday, Forbes said the Scottish Government will deliver a “bold and ambitious package” of public investment that delivers on the priorities “which matter most to the people of Scotland.”

She said: “The Scottish Budget will provide taxpayers with stability and support, set out clearly how we will accelerate our Covid recovery, and crucially, how our spending plans will set Scotland on a new ambitious path.

“It has been a challenging Budget due to the continuing impact of the pandemic, and the uncertainty and worry that Covid poses for us all.

“This has been confounded by the UK Government’s decision to remove necessary Covid consequential funding at a time when we undeniably need to help our public services.

“The Scottish Government has taken spending decisions that prioritise supporting people and our vital public services through the twin crises of Covid and the cost of living.

“It is a budget for Scotland’s future – one that will help us secure a fairer, greener and more prosperous country.”

The Budget will be the first to be put forward since the SNP’s co-operation agreement with the Scottish Greens, meaning the government can this year be sure of getting its plans through Holyrood without having to seek to strike a deal with the opposition.