Shona Robison
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“For the purposes of rule 9.11 of standing orders, I advise the Parliament that His Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, has consented to place his prerogative and interests, in so far as they are affected by the bill, at the disposal of the Parliament for the purposes of the bill.”
“I acknowledge that there have been rising costs across the whole public sector. They include the rising costs of employer national insurance contributions and VAT, while the global situation at the moment will put fuel costs up for local authorities and every other part of the public sector. We are well aware of the rising costs.”
“All local authorities in the north- east region have announced council tax increases that are well above the rate of inflation. Financial and social pressures on many constituents make it difficult for them to pay their rent, and delays in receiving social security support compound that situation.”
“Presiding Officer, before I answer the question, I hope that you will indulge me just for a moment, as this is my last portfolio question time and my last opportunity to speak in the Parliament. I take this opportunity to thank my Government officials for all their support in my Government role.”
“Local government has a key role to play in driving progress on reducing child poverty, including by delivering whole-family support that breaks the cycle of poverty. That is why the 2026-27 Scottish budget provides a further real-terms increase to the local government settlement.”
“However, if the amount of funding was truly sufficient, SNP-run councils such as Perth and Kinross Council would not be forced to raise council tax by nearly 9 per cent simply to stand still. Does the cabinet secretary accept that the so- called record funding is not keeping pace with rising costs?”
The complete record
Every one of 509 lines we hold for Shona Robison, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 4 of 11.
“Amendment 39 disagreed to. Amendment 84 not moved. Amendment 40 moved—[Brian Whittle]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 40 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed. Shona Robison: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am still trying to connect. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you. We will ensure that that is recorded.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jackie Dunbar] Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 46, No 73, Abstentions 0.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Robison. We will ensure that that is recorded. Kenneth Gibson: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Gibson. Likewise, we will ensure that your vote is recorded.”
“I therefore now plan to move on to the next item of business, as I have nothing further to add on the matter as chair of these proceedings. A9 Dualling (Programme for 2035 Completion)”
“There is a point that the cabinet secretary has not mentioned regarding the words that she used in the chamber yesterday. The words that came out of her mouth when she was delivering her statement were that “key sections of the A96”—[Official Report, 13 January 2026; c 17.] would be dualled. Is she now saying that she was wrong to say that? What measures will she take to correct the Official Report? As Fergus Ewing says, that must be done at the earliest opportunity, and it was earlier this afternoon, at 2 o’clock, when the Government admitted its mistake. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I thank Mr Ross for his further contribution, which, again, is not a point of order. The cabinet secretary is present in the chamber and has obviously heard what Mr Ross has had to say, which will be in the Official Report.”
“I can say absolutely definitively that the document has already been corrected online, and the full A96 is now included. Ministers remain absolutely committed to that project, including the Elgin bypass. I can see from my copy that that has indeed been corrected. I hope that that will reassure members across the chamber. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I thank the cabinet secretary for her contribution. Again, that was not a point of order, but I would imagine that it has been helpful for those members with an interest in the matter. I see that there is a further point of order from Douglas Ross. Douglas Ross: Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is enlightening to see that the process that the Scottish Government goes through is such that that major error was missed by every single minister.”
“Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I thank Fergus Ewing for the opportunity to say that the “Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline” sets out our commitment to dualling the A96. It lists the Inshes to Smithton section and the Inverness to Nairn section, including the Nairn bypass; it should also have listed the entire A96 corridor, as that is our commitment. That is what ministers agreed when the draft document was sent to them— [Interruption.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Members! Shona Robison: That is what ministers agreed when the draft document was sent to them for formal ministerial approval. So, there has been one error, and we are still looking into exactly how it happened. My understanding is that it would appear to be a production error in the document.”
“It is also why we have delivered a more cost-effective, alternative model; going forward, we will look at using that model, rather than the expensive PFI contracts of the past.”
“Will the cabinet secretary give assurances that the Scottish Government will resist a return to PFI- style models, particularly in the light of reports that the UK Labour Government, under Rachel Reeves, may be considering similar schemes again? Shona Robison: As I said, we are committed to ensuring that PFI contractual obligations are delivered and that contracts are as affordable as they can be. That is why we asked the Scottish Futures Trust to support public bodies in optimising value for money from those contracts, including the provision of expert advice to contract managers where appropriate, and that has been quite successful. As Clare Adamson said, PFI legacies have placed a huge burden on councils. That is why, in the 2026-27 budget, we provided local government with a further real-terms increase and record funding.”
“The Scottish Government, by way of the annual local government settlement, provides funding in support to local authorities for payments relating to their PFI or PPP contracts . We were, of course, able to replace the United Kingdom’s costly PFI with a more cost-effective alternative, which has enabled us to build hundreds of new schools and substantively upgrade hundreds of others. Clare Adamson: The PFI legacy contracts that were agreed under previous Labour and Conservative Governments still cost Scotland more than £1 billion per year. One project in my area, which had an estimated value of £150 million, is now expected to cost £764 million.”
“He asked the Foreign Secretary to reconsider the reported proposed cuts to Malawi, which has been one of the Scottish Government’s partner countries since 2005. We continue to advocate on the issue to the”
“The Scottish Government’s continued support for international development and climate justice is an important way that Scotland demonstrates good global citizenship. It is about our core values. At a time when so much is happening in the world, the support for international organisations’ work on the ground to help communities to help themselves is really important. There was a time in this Parliament when that was a unanimous position; it saddens me that some people have stepped back from our global requirements and obligations. The First Minister wrote to the UK Foreign Secretary on 14 December, raising his profound concerns about UK Government aid cuts from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of gross national income by 2027-28.”
“I was, however, disappointed—although not altogether surprised—to hear voices of opposition, particularly from the Tory front bench, to helping the world’s most vulnerable, such as those in Malawi. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, in a world that is riddled with conflict, poverty and climate-related disaster, investment in the world’s poorest speaks to a nation’s character, values and even morality? If so, will she reassure me that she and other ministers will use their offices to urge the United Kingdom Government to reverse its disastrous decision—to cut overseas aid worth billions of pounds—which is directly harming the poorest in the global south? Shona Robison: I absolutely agree with Humza Yousaf.”
“Twenty years on from the start of our international development programme, the Scottish Government remains committed to that work. In the draft Scottish budget for 2026-27, which we published yesterday, we set out that “At a time when others are stepping back from commitments to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, support for Scotland’s International Development Fund and the Humanitarian Emergency Fund will grow to £16 million in 2026-27.” We have also restated our on-going commitment to climate justice, with more than £12 million allocated in next year’s budget to support vulnerable communities in the global south, particularly women and young people. Humza Yousaf: I was pleased to see in yesterday’s budget the significant increase in the Scottish Government’s international development fund, which the cabinet secretary mentioned.”
“Shona Robison: I assure Kevin Stewart that we continue to pursue the UK Government on its approach to the cost of ENICs. As I have said many times in the chamber, there is a £400 million-a-year gap between the funding that has been provided and what is needed to meet the cost of the increase in employer national insurance contributions. I have regularly raised the issue with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and will continue to do so.”
“The Scottish Government has published an estimate, provided by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, of a £240 million increase for local authorities in Scotland in the 2025–26 financial year, following the UK Government’s hike in employer national insurance contributions. Kevin Stewart: That £240 million could have been invested in public services. For example, it could have given Scottish National Party- controlled Aberdeen City Council the ability to increase its anti-poverty fund or allowed Tory- controlled Aberdeenshire Council to reverse its daft decision to stop supplying grit bins. Is the Scottish Government still pursuing and pushing the Labour UK Government to fund those ENIC rises for public services in full?”
“Employer National Insurance Contributions (Cost to Local Government) 4.”
“Although the Government strongly supports the principle of legislating to criminalise those who purchase sex, we retain a neutral stance on the bill. A number of stakeholders have voiced concerns about the safety of women, and it is of paramount importance that legislation that is laid before the Parliament be safe for women involved in and exiting prostitution. The funding that I have announced will further support the implementation of the strategic approach, which will build on the work that we began with Police Scotland last year. That involves developing local networks between justice and wider mainstream and specialist services in order to ensure that women can be signposted to local support. That funding will help to pave the way for a wider pathway of support for women with experience of commercial sexual exploitation.”
“The costs relating to violence against people in prostitution are continuing to escalate, and a tiny fraction of that money could be used instead as a proactive investment to deliver preventative, trauma-informed support and exit services. Will the Scottish Government finally meet its obligations to reduce the sex trade market through criminalising sex buyers? Will it properly fund the support and exit recovery services that exploited women and children across Scotland need? Shona Robison: As Ash Regan knows, the Minister for Victims and Community Safety outlined the Scottish Government’s position on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill to the Criminal Justice Committee in November.”
“In addition to the funding that we have provided to improve support to those with experience of commercial sexual exploitation through the delivering equally safe and victim-centred approach funds, we announced in yesterday’s budget that we will provide a further £400,000 of funding, which will support the implementation of our strategic approach to challenging demand for prostitution and improving support for those with experience of it. Ash Regan: I look forward to seeing the details of that additional funding. Current funding is very fragmented and it does not align with Scotland’s international human rights obligations, the Government’s stated aim to eradicate male violence against women or the Government’s and COSLA’s equally safe strategy, which recognises prostitution as a form of violence.”
“I also assure him that the Scottish spending review includes funding to continue to make progress in delivering improvements to the Sheriffhall roundabout. Finally, on the timeframe, the construction of the proposed scheme can commence only if it is approved under the relevant statutory authorisation process. Thereafter, a timetable for the scheme’s progress can be set. I am sure that the Minister for Public Finance will take an active interest in that matter with the Cabinet Secretary for”
“Shona Robison: First, the availability of capital funding is dictated, by and large, by the capital funding that we receive from the United Kingdom Government, and that funding is, unfortunately, due to decline. However, let me say a couple of helpful things to Miles Briggs. I assure him that the Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to the city region deal, which includes up to £120 million for the grade separation at Sheriffhall roundabout. As I said, that project is also included in the infrastructure delivery pipeline. I assure him that the financial risk relating to costs over and above that figure lies entirely with the Scottish ministers and not with city region deal partners.”
“However, I have been seeking updates from several ministers on what the cost revisions will look like and when motorists across Edinburgh, the Lothians and south-east Scotland will finally see this critical transport project start. Funding was secured as part of the city region deal almost a decade ago. To date, Scottish ministers have spent almost £6 million, but only on consultation. Given that the Scottish budget that was announced yesterday contains £860 million of cuts to capital spending from plans that she outlined just six months ago, what assurance can the cabinet secretary give that resources will be made available to deliver the Sheriffhall project and that a decision will be taken before the elections in May?”
“The Scottish Government continues to support the promotion of improvements to the Sheriffhall roundabout as part of its £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region deal. I regularly discuss the Scottish Government’s infrastructure and spending plans with ministerial colleagues to ensure that they are aligned. The latest discussions have focused on the spending review and development of the recently published infrastructure delivery pipeline, which includes Sheriffhall. As is the case for all other road infrastructure projects, the cost estimate for Sheriffhall will be updated once the statutory process has been completed and in advance of procurement. Miles Briggs: The cabinet secretary states that the Government is committed to the project.”
“Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“At col 37, para 4— Original text— I welcome Jackson Carlaw’s welcome for the initiative. Initially, it is a one-year commitment, but it will depend on how that goes and the progress on the roll-out. Corrected text— I welcome Jackson Carlaw’s welcome for the initiative. I can confirm this a recurring commitment. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Robison. We will ensure that that is recorded.”
“It is a budget that offers new ways to access a GP through walk- in GP clinics; new help for hard-pressed families with more wraparound care; new hope for young Scots who are looking for their first home; and more operations and more appointments in our NHS. Under this budget, more people will pay less income tax because they live here in Scotland. It offers new help and more help. It is a budget for families, a budget for Scotland and a budget that is well worth voting for. The Presiding Officer: The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 60 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business. I would be grateful if members who wish to put a question were to press their request-to-speak buttons.”
“I can confirm that, this year, while the others remain frozen, the thresholds for the basic and intermediate rates will increase by 7.4 per cent, which is well over twice the rate of inflation. That is an increase in those thresholds of almost 11 per cent in two years. As a result, even more people in Scotland can expect to pay less tax than they would if they lived in England, Northern Ireland or Wales—more than 55 per cent of Scots are set to pay less income tax because they live in Scotland and have a Government that is led by the SNP. This is a budget for a stronger NHS and a more prosperous Scotland and a budget that, once again, gives the people of Scotland the best cost of living deal anywhere in the UK.”
“Yes, that is about providing universal access to services that will leave more money in people’s pockets, but it is also about solidarity and a way of seeing the world that reflects who we are as a nation. It is an approach that is about making life a bit easier for all. In the recent Westminster budget, the UK Government made choices on tax that, taken together, mean that standards of living in the UK will continue to stagnate—or, as the First Minister has described it, will remain as “flat as a pancake”. The chancellor decided to freeze income tax thresholds, including for the basic rate, which means that more of people’s hard-earned cash will get taxed, or taxed at a higher rate, until 2030-31. I am making a different choice.”
“I know just how costly it can be for parents to keep their kids entertained during the long summer holiday. Therefore, this summer, thousands of young Scots will have access to a range of free sport activities, including—with an eye to future Scottish Commonwealth games gold medals—a universal learn-to-swim offer for every primary school child in our land. That is action by a Government that understands the pressures that many families are facing. It is action that will help to reduce costs, deliver more wraparound care and help to keep more Scottish kids out of poverty. Self-government works because it enables us to take different decisions that are based on Scotland’s distinct circumstances and our particular priorities and values. That is why we have chosen to invest in the wellbeing of our society.”
“Our plans also include new funding for wraparound activities in the afternoon and early evening. Building on the Scottish Football Association’s excellent extra time initiative, the budget will enable us to trial a programme of activities between 3 pm and 6 pm in a range of primary schools, which will help to get kids active and will offer parents the peace of mind that their children are being looked after, free of screens. By providing more wraparound support, we will give parents greater flexibility and freedom. As a third element, there will be more help for parents during the summer holidays. To mark Scotland’s hosting of the Commonwealth games and return to the men’s football world cup, there will be investment in a summer of sport.”
“More than that, they are all policies that are focused in different ways on the wellbeing of our citizens at each and every stage of their lives. The choices that have been made in this budget enable us to go further and do more. That includes funding to deliver a breakfast club for every Scottish primary and special school by August 2027. What will that mean in practice? It will mean that the morning rush to get everyone organised and out of the house will become that little bit easier. It will mean that there is the chance to drop kids off earlier at school, perhaps opening up new shifts at work. For some families, it will mean saving on the cost of breakfast; for others, it will mean kids getting a breakfast that they would not otherwise receive, fuelling them to learn.”
“Peak rail fares have been abolished and will remain abolished for as long as there is an SNP Government. Young Scots are protected from a debt burden that is approaching £30,000 because tuition fees in Scotland are free, and they will be free for as long as there is an SNP Government. The baby box, which contains items worth £400, is a gift to every new baby that is born in our land. There are free school meals for thousands in our schools, including pupils from primary 1 to primary 5. There is free bus travel for all young Scots under the age of 22 and all older Scots over the age of 60. The provision of 1,140 hours of free, high-quality early learning and childcare, which is worth around £6,000, is welcomed by thousands of young parents. Those are all policies that help with the cost of living.”
“This is a Government that cares about Scotland and all our people. That means that we will work harder than anyone else to secure the best possible deal for our nation and its people. Above all, that means that we are committed to delivering the best cost of living support package that is available anywhere in these isles. The best cost of living deal in Britain is getting better. That is not only about the cost of living; just as importantly, it is about quality of life. Free prescriptions—which provide a saving of £9.90 per item compared with England—will be continued. Free eye examinations—which represent a saving of £25 compared with England—will be continued. Average council tax and water bills will still be lower than in England and Wales.”
“In our islands and designated remote areas, that business relief will be 100 per cent. In total, including the small business bonus scheme, more than 96 per cent of retail, hospitality and leisure properties will pay zero or reduced rates. Together, that will provide retail, hospitality and leisure premises with support worth £322 million over the next three years. We are still awaiting details from the UK Government about possible changes to business rates for pubs in England, following press speculation last week. I assure members that, if additional resources become available, we stand ready to use them to provide even further support to the sector in Scotland. There will be no changes to land and buildings transaction tax, and we will continue to match UK rates with the Scottish landfill tax.”
“The small business bonus scheme, which removes the burden of rates from 100,000 properties—businesses such as hairdressers, bakers and cafes that form the lifeblood of every community—will be continued for the next three years. In response to concerns in the business community about the recent revaluation, we will reduce the basic, intermediate and higher property rates while providing transitional relief worth £184 million over the next three years. We will provide 15 per cent non-domestic rates relief in 2026-27 and in each of the three years of the revaluation cycle. Over three years, that will be worth £138 million for retail, hospitality and leisure premises that are liable for the basic and intermediate property rates, with a cap of £110,000 per business per year.”
“In 2025, Scotland secured a decade-long stretch as the top UK location outside London for foreign direct investment. Central to that achievement is the work of our enterprise agencies and the Scottish National Investment Bank. I am pleased to say that the budget delivers on our commitment to invest £1 billion in the bank by the end of the current parliamentary session, and it keeps us on track to invest £2 billion over the bank’s first 10 years. The budget will build on that progress with a package of funding to support disadvantaged and underrepresented young entrepreneurs and to support companies to scale up. The budget also includes enhanced support for VisitScotland and a commitment to multiyear funding to further support town centre regeneration.”
“Those investments will form part of a capital investment programme worth £7.6 billion, which, given that infrastructure investment is a recognised driver of growth, will deliver significant economic benefits across our economy. The programme includes investment in our railways, with the delivery of new battery electric trains on the Borders and Fife routes, and on-going investment in the most extensive renewal of our ferry fleet since devolution. This year, the investment includes nearly £200 million for the dualling of the A9. I say this loud and clear: the Government is committed to the completion of the A9 by 2035. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Thank you, members. Shona Robison: We will take forward the dualling of key sections of the A96 and, working with partners, we will ensure that a new station at Winchburgh is delivered.”
“The budget will also provide money to support a just transition for our industrial sector, including targeted investment in the Grangemouth industrial cluster. We are working with our partners in Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council and Western Isles Council to agree a new accelerator model—a transformative package of funding that, we believe, can unlock hundreds of millions of pounds of investment in those island communities. Alongside that, our new national islands plan will take forward priority projects, including those relating to clean energy and fixed links, as well as other key infrastructure projects.”
“Scotland is a nation of innovators and wealth creators, and this budget is designed to support those whose efforts are essential if our economy is to grow. The most prosperous future for Scotland means being able to use our resources to deliver a clear competitive advantage for Scottish business, and that is why this Government believes that Scotland’s energy resources should be in Scotland’s hands. There is no good reason why Scottish companies are paying such high energy costs. However, short of independence, there are steps that we can and will take to get more direct benefits from the renewables revolution in our economy. That includes providing resources in the budget to support the creation of a diverse and sustainable supply chain for offshore wind in Scotland.”
“Our plans provide vital support for children with additional support needs and give local councils the resources that they need to continue narrowing the attainment gap and to deliver on our commitments on class contact time. Overall, the funding for local government will increase by 2 per cent in real terms, comparing budget with budget—a settlement that is fair, and which recognises the important role of local government in the delivery of key services. Decisions on council tax rates will, of course, be taken locally. However, this is a reasonable deal and, given the cost of living pressures that we all recognise, I urge local authorities to translate the settlement into reasonable decisions on council tax. Our ambition is for a society that is strong and an economy that is flourishing.”
“It includes extra funding not only for colleges, but for our universities, including £20 million for the University of Dundee, and an on-going commitment to Scotland’s high-quality apprenticeships, which this year alone will provide more than 31,000 Scots with a pathway to a sustainable, well-paid job. There will be targeted support to ensure that critical skills shortages in our offshore renewables sector are met, and to help retrain workers in the oil and gas sector. This Government is serious about a just transition, and serious about making the most of our renewables opportunity. I know that many young Scots are struggling to get on the housing ladder and to find affordable homes to rent or buy. We will deliver record levels of investment to help deliver even more homes—a new generation of affordable, liveable energy- efficient homes.”
“For our people, this is a budget that delivers record funding to support Scotland’s creative and culture sector. As promised, there is a £20 million increase in the culture budget this year. It is through our songs and our stories that we best express ourselves and best understand ourselves and our place in the world. In these times of uncertainty, when there are so many pressures on family budgets, we can find some solace, and maybe even some much-needed escape, in art, dance, laughter and music and in the shared experience of a concert or festival. Scotland is richer because of our world-famous culture, and the Government stands full square behind our fantastic creative sector. This is a budget that creates new opportunities for Scots to learn and to flourish.”
“It is an investment in our landscape and our natural environment: assets that are not only priceless in themselves but are of vital importance economically—I think of the food and drink and tourism sectors, which are flourishing—and are vital to our health and our sense of self, and to our wellbeing in its fullest sense. It is an investment in those who care for our land, in our rural communities and our farmers, including a new package to nurture and develop regenerative and sustainable skills in food and farming. Our commitment to the planet extends to investment beyond our shores. While others are choosing to reduce their commitment to international development, I am proud to confirm that, in Scotland, we will increase our international development fund by a quarter, to £16 million— different choices, different values.”
“This is a budget for the wellbeing of our people and the prosperity of our nation: for a society where the needs of people and planet are to the fore. For the planet, that means that we will continue to play our part in global efforts to tackle the growing climate emergency. That includes an on- going commitment to decarbonise our economy, with investment to support more carbon-free transport and more carbon-free heating for businesses and homes, and to continue the expansion of renewable electricity generation around our shores. Taken together, we are committing more than £5 billion this coming year towards measures that will reduce Scotland’s carbon emissions, increase our resilience in the face of climate change, and, in many cases, save families hard-earned cash.”
“Our ambition is to deliver the best care, at the right time and in the right place, free at the point of need. That includes an on-going expansion of our hospital-at-home programme, so that more people can receive the care that they need in the comfort and security of their own home. Members should have no doubt that we have an NHS in Scotland that is on the path to recovery: an NHS that, after Covid, which was a huge shock to the system, is getting better. This is a budget that will enable our health services to do more and to do it better. I have no doubt that our constituents will not look favourably—that is an understatement—on any party that cannot bring itself to back a budget that offers so much for our NHS.”
“For the social care sector, today’s budget will enable further action to reduce delayed discharges, as the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care will set out following engagement with local government and health and social care partners. It also provides the resources that are needed to ensure that, where we commission services, those working in adult social care receive, at a minimum, the real living wage. Once again this year, a bigger share of the health budget is going to primary care. That means that the number of GPs in Scotland will continue to rise, and more GPs will mean easier access. Because we are committed to ending the 8 am rush, the budget contains £36 million to begin the roll-out of new high-street walk-in GP clinics, with the first coming soon.”
“There will be more operations and appointments, building on the targeted investment in last year’s budget, which has seen a record number of hip and knee procedures and an increase in in-patient and out-patient appointments. We know what works, and we are investing at record levels so that our NHS can do more of it. There will be significant new investment in our staff—in higher wages, improved training and action to support staff wellbeing, retention and work-life balance. The NHS is nothing without its staff, and I want them to hear loud and clear that they are respected and valued. Thanks to their efforts, the NHS is already getting better, and the budget will continue to support them as they work tirelessly to put patients first.”
“This is a budget for a stronger health service and a budget that protects and enhances the best cost of living support package available anywhere in the UK. It is a budget that is worthy of support. For our NHS, it delivers a record £17.6 billion for front-line services; £2.4 billion to support the vital work of GPs, primary care and community services; and more than £2.3 billion of support for social care. That means that our health service will have the resources that it needs to continue to reduce waiting times and cut waiting lists. I commend NHS staff for the work that they are doing right now to cut the longest waits—something that has now been achieved for six months in a row.”