Health

Spending on NHS health and care services will rise by £729 million including a 4.2 per cent rise in cash for front-line NHS boards to £430m.

This is a huge increase but much of it comes extra cash provided to the Scottish Government in so called “Barnett consequentials” after increases unveiled by UK Chancellor Phillip Hammond in the UK Budget in October.

Reform investment will rise by £149m, the majority of which, £90m, will go to improving waiting times.

Investment in social care and integration will rise to more than £700m which includes the £120m being transferred from health to local government for integration and school counselling services as well as £40m to local government to extend free personal care to under 65s.