Questions for UK Government over extra cash for outbreak

Finance ministers from the devolved administrations are to press the UK Government on whether extra health funding will be made available to deal with the impact of coronavirus.

Scotland’s finance secretary Kate Forbes confirmed the issue was on the agenda for a meeting with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay next Tuesday.

Ms Forbes told MSPs on Holyrood’s finance committee that as yet, there was no “clarity” about whether next week’s UK Budget would make additional resources available.

New chancellor Rishi Sunak is reported to be rewriting his spending plans ahead of his March 11 statement in the wake of the outbreak.

Ms Forbes told the committee that “notwithstanding the serious human impact” of the Covid-19 virus, ministers were “very mindful of ensuring we make appropriate preparations in our budget”.

The finance secretary said: “I had a call with Mr Barclay last week and I raised it with him then because I think it is really important we are able to share information and have an ongoing dialogue in terms of funding.

“He wasn’t able to provide me with any clarity how the UK Government will respond to that in its Budget next week.

“But I have a quadrilateral next week on Tuesday. Along with Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts we are due to speak again to the chief secretary to the treasury next Tuesday and it is on the agenda.”

Ms Forbes spoke on the issue as amendments to Holyrood’s 202021 budget to factor in the SNP government’s deal with the Scottish Greens were approved by the committee.

With the Scottish budget – due to gain its final parliamentary approval today – coming before the UK Government has announced its tax and spending plans for the coming year, Ms Forbes said ministers at Holyrood may have to “review” their position if the cash that comes to Scotland is less than anticipated.

Some of the forecast sums are based on spending commitments in the Conservative election manifesto, with the Scottish Government using them to work out how much money could come to Scotland as a consequence.

Ms Forbes said: “The budget has taken place in exceptional circumstances, there has been a higher level of risk.

“If the UK Government delivers less than we have assumed, we may need to review our position.”

Ms Forbes told MSPs: “I don’t want to hide the fact there is risk.

“We are more exposed to the risk of what the UK Government does or doesn’t do this year versus previous years.”