For immediate release:

SCOTTISH BUDGET UNVEILED BY SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has welcomed the Scottish Government’s Budget which delivers an inflation-busting increase for NHS Lanarkshire and fully funds the council tax freeze by increasing funding for South Lanarkshire Council by 5 percent.

In Holyrood, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison set out the Scottish Government’s priorities for the coming year, including:

• Increasing funding to NHS frontline boards by over £550 million, a 4.3 percent uplift – including an extra £65 million for the Lanarkshire health board
• Providing over £200 million to ensure every social care and early learning and childcare worker is paid £12, a raise of over £2,000 for many full-time workers
• Increasing funding to local councils by 6 percent – taking the total package to a record high of £14 billion
• Providing local authorities with £1.5 million to cancel school meal debt
• Increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £26.70 per child per week
• And, increasing Police Scotland’s day to day budget by 5.6%.

Those with the broadest shoulders have been asked to contribute more with the introduction of a new 45 pence tax band for those on incomes between £75,000 and £125,140, whilst those paying the top rate (income over £125,140) will see a 1 percent increase to their tax band.

Commenting, Ms Haughey said:

“This Scottish Budget prioritises our NHS, public services, and support for the most vulnerable households across Rutherglen and Cambuslang.

“The Budget will see no changes to the Starter, Basic, Intermediate and Higher income tax rates, whilst those with the broadest shoulders will be asked to pay a bit more.

“This allows record funding to our NHS and local councils, an increase to Police Scotland’s day to day budget keeping our communities safer, supporting households with the council tax freeze, as well as tackling poverty through an increase to the Scottish Child Payment.

“Despite Westminster austerity, Tory economic mismanagement and their hard Brexit, the Scottish Government has put forward a Budget which will provide a net benefit to the majority of Scottish households.”

ENDS