The Scottish Parliament has passed the latest Scottish Budget, with the SNP saying it puts the NHS and the cost of living crisis at the heart of government spending.
SNP depute leader Keith Brown MSP said the budget, approved by MSPs, delivers record investment in health and expands what he described as the strongest cost of living support package available on these islands.
The budget includes record NHS funding of £17.6 billion, alongside an additional £2.4 billion for primary care, including £36 million for new walk in GP clinics.
Ministers have also confirmed the removal of peak rail fares and a freeze on rail fares, while maintaining free prescriptions and free eye tests.
The package increases the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week for eligible children under one and includes funding to allow every primary school pupil access to a breakfast club by August 2027.
An additional £40 million investment linked to Scotland’s Summer of Sport will fund free swimming lessons for every primary school pupil.
The budget maintains provision of free personal care, free university tuition, free bus travel for 2.4 million people and 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare, estimated to be worth around £6,000 per family.
There is also record investment of £926 million in affordable housing.
The vote comes after a recent poll suggested the SNP is on course for a majority at Holyrood, with Labour projected to win 15 seats.
Commenting, Keith Brown MSP said:
“Under John Swinney’s leadership, the SNP has passed a budget with the priorities of the people of Scotland at its core, while other parties squabble amongst themselves, John Swinney is laser focused on our NHS and offering the best of cost of living support package on these islands.
“Our NHS is starting to turn a corner and we can see our plan working with waiting times falling for the eighth month in a row and a further 15 GP walk-in clinics announced, that’s what you get with an SNP government on Scotland’s side.
“While John Swinney delivers for Scotland, Anas Sarwar sat on the side lines without putting forward a single idea, the contrast could not be clearer and it won’t be lost on Scottish voters who see a broken Westminster system mired in chaos and scandal.
“Momentum is gathering behind John Swinney’s strong leadership and the budget demonstrates only the SNP is on Scotland’s side, on 7th May, vote SNP to ensure a government focused on our NHS, the cost-of-living crisis and offering people hope through a fresh start with independence.”
The SNP says the budget reflects its priorities ahead of the May election, with health funding and household support central to its case to voters.
