The SNP has issued a clear challenge to Labour MSPs: support the Scottish Budget or face being accused of betraying pensioners and public services.
The budget, revealed in December, outlines bold plans aimed at transforming key sectors and supporting Scotland’s most vulnerable citizens.
Central to the budget is a record £2 billion boost for Scotland’s NHS, reinforcing the government’s commitment to healthcare excellence.
The SNP has also pledged to restore the universal winter heating payment, benefiting every pensioner household across the country.
Another major announcement includes the development of systems to abolish the punitive two-child benefit cap by 2026.
Local councils are set to receive unprecedented support, with a record £15 billion allocated for local government funding.
In addition, £768 million has been earmarked for affordable housing projects, addressing the critical issue of housing shortages.
The SNP’s track record of maintaining Scotland’s social contract remains strong, offering an array of free services that set Scotland apart from the rest of the UK.
These include free tuition, prescriptions, school meals, and bus travel for nearly 2.3 million people.
Families also benefit from free childcare for three- and four-year-olds, as well as eligible two-year-olds.
Moreover, Social Security Scotland provides seven additional welfare payments, including the life-changing Scottish Child Payment.
Keith Brown MSP, SNP Depute Leader, stressed that this budget is designed to address the issues most important to Scots.
“Whether it’s Scotland’s NHS, local services, or pensioners, this budget delivers transformative change,” said Mr Brown.
He highlighted the focus on eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, enhancing public services, and tackling the climate emergency.
The decision to scrap the two-child cap stands out as a pivotal moment in social policy, contrasting sharply with Labour’s stance at Westminster.
Mr Brown criticised Labour’s recent Westminster budget, accusing it of treating Scottish pensioners as an afterthought.
He urged Labour MSPs to support the budget and seize the opportunity to “do right” by Scotland’s pensioners.
According to Mr Brown, this is a “budget for hope”, offering a path to recovery and growth as the new year begins.
He emphasised that Labour has a choice: either support progress or risk being seen as obstructing efforts to improve the lives of people across Scotland.
The SNP is calling on Labour to step up, abandon partisan politics, and work collaboratively to pass a budget that could set a new standard for governance.
Failure to back the budget, the SNP argues, would be a clear signal that Labour prioritises politics over people.
This budget is not just about numbers; it’s about creating conditions for everyone in Scotland to thrive.
