Budget for the future
An extra £5.2 million, on top of the money already allocated, is coming to Renfrewshire to spend on local services.
And more than £4.2 million being given directly to Renfrewshire’s teachers, to spend as they see fit, on closing the attainment gap in local schools.
The SNP Government delivering for Renfrewshire.
Unfortunately, Labour joined with the Tories and said a big no to this funding coming to Renfrewshire’s towns and villages.
They also voted against the initial £18 million investment towards the National Manufacturing Institute in Inchinnan.
Local Labour MSPs voting hand in hand with the Tories against money, jobs and investment coming to Renfrewshire.
However, with the cross-party support of the Greens and Lib Dem MSPs, the Scottish Budget passed its first vote in Parliament last week.
As well as the specific local funding, it is a budget which sees the SNP invest a record amount of money in our NHS, with over £400 million of additional funding.
It invests in infrastructure and broadband, expands free early learning and childcare and builds a record number of new affordable homes.
It also gives our local teachers, nurses, and other public sector works a well-deserved pay rise.
The SNP have also protected free education and free prescriptions, ensuring no one in Renfrewshire pays a tax on ill health or their ability to learn. Our changes to tax ensure Scotland has a progressive tax system – with 70 per cent of taxpayers paying less next year than they do currently and 55 per cent paying less than they would across the rest of the UK.
Overall, it is a budget which works for Renfrewshire, and a budget which will improve the lives of local people.
Just why did Labour join with the Tories and vote against it?