Finance Secretary Shona Robison has delivered a Scottish Government budget that critics have likened to a grand giveaway, albeit with state coffers rather than a chat show host's generosity. The centrepiece is a significant increase in the Scottish Child Payment, which will rise to £40 a week for eligible parents with a child under one.
A Budget Built Around the State
Presenting her statement to MSPs, Robison unveiled a financial plan conspicuously centred on public sector expansion. The budget promises a litany of state-provided or funded services, including breakfast clubs, after-school activities, swimming lessons, and pay rises for the care sector. There was, however, scant mention of support for private enterprise, leading to accusations that the vision is of an increasingly bloated public sector.
"The government wants what's best for Scotland," Robison told the parliament, adding that Scots were better off "in so many ways because they live in Scotland and because Scotland is led by the SNP." The Finance Secretary appeared unusually confident, taking a pointed dig at Scottish Labour for their decision to abstain on the budget vote for a second consecutive year.
Headline-Grabbing Taxes and Political Manoeuvring
The budget also introduced several eye-catching tax proposals aimed at higher earners and wealthier individuals. These include a new tax on private jets for flights in and out of Scotland and an additional dwelling supplement, dubbed a 'mansion tax', on properties purchased for over £1 million.
Critics argue that such measures, while politically popular with some, risk deterring investment and high-skilled talent from moving to Scotland. The concern is that making property ownership excessively expensive could dissuade international executives or professionals from relocating to cities like Edinburgh.
As the SNP runs a minority government, Robison must now secure opposition votes to pass her budget. With the Scottish Conservatives firmly opposed and Labour abstaining, the Finance Secretary's hopes likely rest with the Liberal Democrats or the Scottish Greens, setting the stage for potential policy concessions in the coming weeks.
Opposition Reaction and Electoral Context
Responding for the Scottish Conservatives, finance spokesman Craig Hoy launched a fierce critique, suggesting that with an election looming, Deputy First Minister John Swinney was trying to "morph from Che Guevara into Adam Smith with no intervening steps." He also labelled Labour's abstention as "lily-livered."
The political theatre unfolds with the Scottish Parliament elections just months away. Labour's decision to abstain on one of the year's most significant votes has drawn criticism, with sceptics questioning their readiness for government. The budget sets clear battle lines for the upcoming campaign, framing a debate about the size of the state, taxation, and economic priorities for Scotland's future.
