Scottish Budget

The Scottish Government has voted to provide an additional £223 million to local authorities to support pay awards to staff as part of the 2023-24 Scottish Budget. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said an improving financial position enabled him to address some pressing asks. The extra money

A Budget which the Scottish Government said will go further to support the vulnerable and deliver greater benefits than provided in the rest of the UK will be voted on in Parliament. Ahead of Tuesday’s final debate and vote on the Bill for the 2023-24 Scottish Budget, deputy first ministe

Social security spending is to increase to more than £5.1 billion per year through the 2023-24 Budget, supporting around a million people and helping to drive progress towards Scotland’s long term aim of eradicating child poverty, the Scottish Government has revealed. The centrepiece of

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) and CIH have criticised the Scottish Government for reducing its funding for the Affordable Supply Programme as part of its 2023-24 Scottish Budget yesterday.

The outlook for Scotland’s budget in 2023-24 has become more challenging due to factors wholly outwith the control of the Scottish Government, but there are decisions that Deputy First Minister John Swinney can make to ease the path ahead for Scotland, according to a new report. In its pre-bud

Finance secretary Kate Forbes has struck a deal with the Scottish Green Party which guarantees the Scottish Government's Budget Bill can clear its final stages. The deal will see the phased introduction of free school meals for all primary pupils, an enhanced public sector pay deal, new Pandemic Sup

Proposed legislation to implement Scotland’s Budget for 2021-22 has passed its first parliamentary hurdle as MSPs voted to endorse the general principles of the Budget Bill at Stage 1. MSPs also approved the Scottish Rate Resolution, setting all income tax rates and bands.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has cautiously welcomed the funding announced for affordable housing in last week’s Scottish Budget, adding that sustaining it throughout the duration of the next parliament should deliver the homes Scotland needs. The SFHA said the govern

Tackling deep-seated poverty and inequality will be supported by increased funding from the 2021-22 Scottish Budget, the Scottish Government has said. To ensure all children have the best start in life, £68 million will be invested in the Scottish Child Payment, and £53m will fund u

Funding announced by the Scottish Government falls short of delivering the required number of affordable homes needed in Scotland and won't effectively tackle fuel poverty, housing charities have warned following yesterday's Scottish Budget.

Finance secretary Kate Forbes announced support for jobs and skills totalling around £1.1 billion when she presented the Scottish Budget 2021-22 yesterday. In an effort to prioritise job creation, measures in the Budget included a commitment to launch a new Green Workforce Academy t

Relief for first-time buyers, which raises the nil rate band for LBTT to £175,000, has been extended, while the ceiling of the nil rate band for residential land and buildings transaction tax (LBTT) will return to £145,000 from April 1, finance secretary Kate Forbes confirmed as part of

More than a thousand people have added their names to a letter to cabinet secretary for finance, Kate Forbes, calling on her to prioritise social housebuilding in today’s Budget statement. Signed by more than 30 advocacy, support and housing organisations, the letter urges Forbes to “use

Significant investment in social housing will be vital if the Scottish Government wants to drive Scotland’s social and economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has said ahead of tomorrow’s budget. The housing b

Measures promoting recovery and renewal will be at the heart of the Scottish Budget this week, according to finance secretary Kate Forbes. New initiatives to drive economic growth, create jobs and tackle inequality will be included alongside further support for business, public services and families