The SNP has challenged opposition parties to back this year’s Budget which delivers on the priorities of the people of Scotland.
The progressive and ambitious budget will be delivered whilst ensuring the majority of Scottish taxpayers will continue to pay less Income Tax than if they lived elsewhere in the UK, while those who earn more will pay more.
Key commitments in the SNP Government’s 2022/23 Budget:
A record £18 billion in funding for the NHS and social care sector, including laying the groundwork for the creation of a new National Care Service.
Doubling of the Scottish Child Payment to £20 a week from April 2022, and extend it to under 16’s by the end of 2022, which will reach an estimated 400,000 children, help lift an estimated 40,000 out of poverty and mitigate the impact of UK Tory Government cuts.
The biggest increase in funding to support teacher recruitment since 2007, with £145.5 million for the sustained employment of additional teachers and classroom assistants
£831 million investment in affordable housing, progressing the SNP Government commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable, energy efficient homes by 2032.
An overall funding package of almost £12.5 billion for local authorities, representing a like with like real terms increase of 4.5%.
A new public sector pay policy that introduces a wage floor of £10.50 per hour from April 2022, with additional funding for Local Government to ensure this applies to adult social care workers in commissioned services.
Nearly £1.4 billion for the Police, maintaining a SNP Government commitment to protect the police resource Budget in real terms for the entirety of this Parliament.
Over £124 million for employability and training, including through the Young Person’s Guarantee, National Transition Training Fund and Fair Start Scotland.
Kenneth Gibson MSP, Convenor of the Finance and Public Administration Committee, said:
“Acting on the pressures of rising living costs and the continuing uncertainty of COVID, the SNP Government is prioritising tackling child poverty, securing a Just Transition and supporting Scotland’s recovery from COVID whilst freezing Income Tax.
“This Budget is crucial for those most in need, so I challenge opposition Members to put politics aside and support a Budget that could take up to 40,000 children out of poverty.
“With a record £18 billion in NHS funding, the first part of the £500 million Just Transition Fund for green jobs and nearly £200 million to double the Scottish Child Payment, this Budget commits to tackle with action - not words - these key priorities for the people of Scotland.
“Ultimately however, only with the full powers of independence can Scotland go further in securing a fairer, greener and more prosperous country.”
ENDS
