It’s business as usual as budget is set

Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone who reached out with kind words following my announcement that I will be retiring next year as we reach the 2021 Holyrood election.

By that point, I will have been in public service for over 46 years, 33 of these as an elected member.

I have represented the Stirling Constituency since the Scottish Parliament reconvened in 1999 and it has been a huge honour and privilege to do so.

I have also now just returned to Parliament having had a few weeks off recovering from a hernia operation.

I must say what a wonderful health service we have, with highly professional, caring staff.

My whole experience of the NHS, during my very short stay in hospital, could not have been bettered. I will remember this in the coming weeks and months as these fantastic people are potentially tested to their professional limits due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus.

However, for now it’s back to the day job representing the people of Stirling Constituency.

In addition, as the Convener of the Finance and Constitution Committee at Holyrood, some of my time over the next couple of weeks will be centred around the Scottish Budget.

I’m delighted that an agreement has been reached, enabling the Scottish Government to invest in our crucial public services.

Last month, Kate Forbes MSP – at just 29 years old – presented the first Government Budget by a woman in the UK.

Since entering Holyrood and then taking on a Ministerial role, she has demonstrated herself to be a highly intelligent and extremely capable politician.

I was therefore delighted that the First Minister took the decision to promote her to Finance Secretary.

The Scottish Government is setting a Budget so that local councils and other public bodies can get on with setting theirs in early March.

The Scottish Budget will invest a record £15 billion into Scotland’s health and social care services, as well as £645 million for the expansion of early learning and childcare.

There is an increase of £270 million in rail investment, and concessionary travel is protected under these plans – with free bus travel coming for those aged under 19.

Because of this Budget, nobody in Scotland will pay any more tax on their income than they did in the previous year.

For the third consecutive year, the majority of Scots will pay less in income tax than they would if they lived elsewhere in the UK.

Nobody denies that there are challenges in delivering quality public services but I sincerely believe that the SNP Government has done the best job possible. Particularly in the light of a decade of austerity from the Tories.

However, with the powers that we have, Scotland has managed to invest in key public services to the point where in many areas Scotland is outperforming other parts of the UK.

The current SNP Government operates with a minority in Parliament. It must work across the chamber with other parties in order to get things done – and I commend those who have engaged constructively and positively to agree a Budget settlement for Scotland’s economy and public services.

It has been a huge honour to represent Stirling