Forbes to unveil ‘most important budget in history of devolution’
Finance secretary Kate Forbes says her Scottish budget today will be “the most important in the history of devolution” as she prepares to unveil her spending plans for the year ahead.
Ms Forbes will set out a £40 billion spending package for 2021/22, including measures to help drive Scotland's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Support for the public sector andprotectingjobswillbeatthe heartoftheplans,thesnpminister says.
Opponents have demanded a budget that is focused on deliveryamidclaimsthatannouncements of more than £1bn have resulted in less than a third of thepromisedfundingreaching the frontline.
"This is the most important budget in the history of devolution," Ms Forbes said ahead of her announcement in Holyrood this afternoon.
"It comes as we are tackling a global pandemic and working tomitigatethedamagingeffects of a Brexit that Scotland did not vote for.
"Imustensurethateverypenny I have at my disposal makes an impact. The measures I am laying before Parliament today will provide certainty and stabilitytobusiness,supportfamilies and bolster public services, while promoting sustainable growth and creating jobs.
"I hope the Scottish Parliament will support this Budget and help build the fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland we all want to see."
Her spending announcement was pushed back due to adelaytotheukgovernment's Budget, which will not now be
outlined until March. She has already said that she may have to scale back full rates relief, which many businesses currently receive, until she knows whether the UK Government will adopt a similar measure when Chancellor Rishi Sunak sets out his own plans.
Ms Forbes said her planning had been impacted by a lack of knowledge of UK proposals, as she again called for greater powers to be devolved .
Scottish Conservative leader
Douglas Ross said recent SNP announcements of business support totalling £1.25bn had actually delivered just £358m to struggling businesses on the ground.
He said: “The SNP are skilled at making grand announcements, they’re just dreadful at delivering.
“We need a Scottish budget thatputsscottishjobsandbusinesses first, not another screed of the same overblown, empty promises we get every year.
“When the SNP announce a headline-grabbing figure, this time they should actually deliver it.
“At this crucial point in the fighttodeliverthecovid-19vaccine and suppress the virus, it’s vital that the national interest comesfirst,aheadofthenationalist interest.
“Instead of pushing for indyref2 as early as this year, the SNP’S budget should focus on throwing the full weight of the government behind supporting local jobs and public services. Scotland’s priority is recoveringfromthispandemic, not another referendum.”
Scottish Labour has highlighted the importance of business support in the economic recovery, calling for further help as well as investment in training and skills, combined with increased funding for the NHS and a £15 per hour pay deal for social care workers.