MSPs have voted to pass the 2026 to 27 Scottish Budget, setting out spending plans of almost £68 billion across health, local services, transport, housing and cost of living support.
The package includes a record £22.5 billion allocation for health and social care and an almost £15.7 billion settlement for local government.
Ministers say the Budget focuses on strengthening the NHS, supporting households through the cost of living crisis and investing in long term infrastructure.
Cost of living measures will continue, including free prescriptions, free eye examinations, the removal of peak rail fares on ScotRail and a freeze on remaining ScotRail fares.
The plans also maintain free tuition for young Scots, free school meals for all pupils in P1 to P5 and thousands of older children, and free bus travel for under 22s and over 60s.
The Scottish Child Payment will rise and from 2027 to 28 a £40 per week premium will be introduced for eligible children under 12 months.
More than £5 billion has been allocated to tackling the climate emergency and £4.3 billion for transport investment.
Affordable housing supply will receive a record £926 million, while police and fire services funding will reach a record level and community justice services will receive an additional £10 million.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said:
“The Scottish Government’s Budget delivers for the people of Scotland strengthening our NHS and providing real, practical support with the cost of living.
“It will improve access to healthcare, including funding for a network of 16 walk-in GP clinics open seven days per week, and builds on our game-changing work to eradicate child poverty, with an increase in the Scottish Child Payment.
“This Budget demonstrates our determination to improve lives across Scotland, and our plans mean that 55% of taxpayers can expect to pay less income tax than in the rest of the UK.”
Opposition parties have previously raised concerns about long term sustainability and funding pressures, but ministers argue the spending plan balances support for families with investment in public services.
