Protecting services and balancing books

there is a specific increased NHS investment in mental health services, with funding to deliver an additional 800 mental health workers over the next five years.

One of the most popular campaigns in which East Kilbride residents took part, sending me emails and cards, was that which demanded an increase in income tax to protect public services.

The Scottish Government consulted the public on this, laying out various options before presenting that which they believed to be best in their budget.

It has been calculated that the progressive tax reforms presented in the budget are backed by the Scottish public by two to one.

Changes to income tax in Scotland mean that 70 per cent of taxpayers will pay less next year than they currently do, while higher earners will face a modest increase.

These changes will allow investment in the economy, an increase in health spending by £400 million and an allocation to cover a minimum three per cent pay rise for public sector workers, under the remit of the Scottish Government, earning up to £36,500.

So, the new pay policy will ensure that the vast majority of nurses and teachers receive that three per cent increase.

Local services have been protected by an aboveinflation increase in funding to local authorities.

All in all, I believe the budget as presented is a good deal for taxpayers and for public services.

It’s not only the budget that is being discussed in our Parliament, though.

There is, of course, much going on.

As I’ve spoken about many times before in this column, the Scottish Government, using its limited powers, does its best to mitigate the excesses of the UK Government’s welfare reforms.

The Scottish Welfare Fund was created in April 2013 to help people facing hardship due to UK Government decisions – we learned last week that since then 275,690 households have received awards of over £148m.

Latest figures show that from July to September last year councils received 42,760 applications for crisis grants, 14 per cent of those applications due to delays in benefit payments.

It is absolutely appalling that folk need crisis grants for basics like food, heating and general living expenses.

Many residents of East Kilbride are caught in the web of the chaotic rollout of Universal Credit – my caseload attests to that.

Universal Credit, of course, is within the remit of the Westminster Government, but the Scottish Government has introduced choices in how Universal Credit is paid – for example, in Scotland recipients can opt to have their benefits paid bi-monthly and housing benefit payments can now be paid direct to the landlord. I hope this helps. Housing is a big issue in East Kilbride, of course, and I am pleased that new legislation and regulations have been put in place by the Scottish Government to cover private landlords and tenants.

The private rented sector provides a place to call home for many families, couples and singles and it’s crucial that necessary standards and protections apply.

As always, I can provide more information if required; on the budget – even if we don’t agree and you want to challenge my view.

More information is available on Universal Credit options or private rented sector changes – call the office on (01355) 232800, email linda. fabiani.msp@parliament. scot or, as so many now do, Facebook or Tweet me!