Scottish Budget 'to focus on NHS and cost of living support', vows Robison

Next year’s Scottish Budget will focus “resolutely” on public priorities such as driving down NHS waiting lists and helping tackle the cost-of-living crisis, Finance Secretary Shona Robison has said.

Robison said her tax and spending plans for the year ahead will stand in “stark contrast” to Westminster policies she claimed are “holding Scotland back”.

She will set out the pre-election draft Budget to Holyrood on Tuesday.

The minority SNP Government usually needs to find support from other parties for its plans to be approved. Labour has said it will not block the Budget, meaning the proposals are guaranteed to be approved.

The Budget comes less than four months before May’s election, with Robison saying she will deliver a financial plan that “focuses resolutely on the people of Scotland’s priorities”.

She added that her spending decisions will aim to bring about “further improvements in the NHS and supporting people with the cost of living at a time when so many people are struggling to make ends meet”.

She added: “We will use this Budget to continue the progress we are delivering in Scotland – bringing down NHS waiting lists, supporting families, reducing child poverty and growing the economy.

“The Budget measures we take forward will stand in stark contrast to those of the UK Government, which are holding Scotland back.

“Our Budget will continue the trusted leadership that this Government is providing in Scotland and drive progress on the issues people in Scotland care about the most.”

The UK Government has been contacted for comment.