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?”
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“The Minister for Victims and Community Safety and I attended COSLA’s civility in public life round table on 28 May, along with councillors from each of the political parties and representatives from other organisations. It was good to see so many people from across many of the quarters that this important issue touches. The Scottish Government remains committed to working with COSLA to do all that we can to ensure that elected members can conduct their duties free from violence, threats and abuse. I am aware that, following that round table, COSLA is developing an action plan. Elena Whitham: I welcome the work that colleagues and COSLA are undertaking that is aimed at tackling abuse and intimidation of elected members.”
“That is something that COSLA called for, including in relation to some of the existing ring-fenced funds. In the Verity house agreement, the direction of travel was towards flexibility of funding and a reduction in ring-fenced funds. So, although I am happy to continue these discussions, we must make sure that we strike the right balance. I am not sure that having lots of small ring-fenced funds helps local authorities have flexibility. Civility in Public Life (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) 2.”
“A big reason for that is the way that money is allocated to local government. The number of council access officers has halved in the past 20 years, and many local authorities are failing to do even some of the most basic things, such as host a local access forum. The result is that public complaints are going unanswered, and people who want to enjoy the great outdoors are finding that their rights on paper mean little on the ground. Does the cabinet secretary accept that, in order to reverse that neglect, there needs to be reform of how access funding is allocated to local authorities? Shona Robison: First, I am very happy to continue these discussions with Ariane Burgess and with others. There is a balance to be struck here. Often, in the Parliament, the demand is that local government has flexibility over its funding.”
“The Scottish Government continues to believe that delivery of local authority duties should be delegated at a local level where possible. The majority of funding provided to local government is made available through a block grant, and £8.1 million is included in that block grant in relation to land access measures and is allocated based on proportions of population and path lengths. However, the funding is not ring fenced. It is the responsibility of individual councils to manage their budgets and allocate the total financial resources available based on local priorities, once they have met their statutory obligations. Ariane Burgess: The sad truth is that, although Scotland’s legal right to roam is world renowned, the system for upholding such rights has never been in a worse state.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Robison. I will make sure that that vote is recorded. Brian Whittle: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will make sure that that is recorded, Mr Whittle. Collette Stevenson: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Stevenson. I will make sure that that is recorded.”
“Does she agree that the UK Government should reverse it as a matter of priority? Shona Robison: I agree with that. I am deeply concerned about the impact of the increase on charities and other third sector organisations. As I said, I have made that clear to the UK Government on several occasions. Last month, the UK Government confirmed that we would receive £339 million this year for the additional cost, which is less than half the estimated cost to public services of more than £700 million. It is unacceptable that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has failed to protect those organisations from the costs of the reserved tax rise. In February, this Parliament voted to call on the UK Government to reverse the tax hike. The chancellor must listen and take action. Families in Temporary Accommodation 4.”
“This Government has consistently made the case to the UK Government to fully fund the additional costs to public services of its increase in employer national insurance contributions. Those services include the vital services that third sector organisations provide. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations has highlighted that the increase will cost the voluntary sector in Scotland around £75 million and put those organisations in a very challenging situation. Jackie Dunbar: A local charity has told me that Labour’s short-sighted hike to employer national insurance contributions will cost that charity a staggering £450,000. That funding could support vital local services. Does the cabinet secretary share my concern about the impact of Labour’s tax hike on the voluntary sector in Scotland?”
“In addition to the £823.9 million of direct funding to South Lanarkshire Council, there is also £23 million to support the town centre redevelopment through the Glasgow city region deal, and £144 million for the East Kilbride rail enhancement project, which will be completed by December 2025 and will include the newly opened, fully accessible Hairmyres station. We are also providing £24 million towards the community growth areas projects, including support for works at Jackton primary school, the extension of Our Lady of Lourdes primary school and Hairmyres park-and-ride plans. Independent School Pupils (Fees for Hospital Teaching Costs) 7.”
“Meanwhile, this year, the council is spending around £49 million on private finance initiative repayments—a toxic legacy from the previous Labour Government. Our communities are paying the price. Will the cabinet secretary outline the additional money that is being given to South Lanarkshire Council this year and how the Scottish Government supports grass-roots and community organisations to continue their valuable work? Shona Robison: Collette Stevenson is, of course, quite right to highlight those issues.”
“The Scottish budget delivers against the Government’s priorities to eradicate child poverty, grow the economy, tackle the climate emergency and ensure high-quality and sustainable public services across the whole of Scotland. For people in East Kilbride, that will include more than £820 million of funding for South Lanarkshire Council. Collette Stevenson: From national insurance hikes to cutting winter fuel payments for pensioners, the United Kingdom Labour Government’s reckless decisions are having a huge impact on people and businesses in East Kilbride and across the country. I have heard from local community groups that cannot get access to a community space to carry out their valuable work due to local Labour cuts in South Lanarkshire.”
“I will write to Rhoda Grant with more detail specifically on the islands plan point. The Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio question time. Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme”
“Shona Robison: I am happy to write to Rhoda Grant with a bit more detail. She makes an important point about the role of the islands plan, which has helped to lever in additional funding to some of our island communities. We continue to look at the issues that she highlights, particularly those that are specific to more remote and rural communities, and we try to reflect that rurality through some of the formulas for allocating funding through health and local government to our health and social care partnerships. To address some of the pressures that the sector faces more generally, we are taking forward the new social care financial viability response group, which has met weekly since February. It comprises Government and sector representatives, to make sure that we are working together to ensure the sustainability of services.”
“Rhoda Grant: The cabinet secretary will be aware that Argyll and Bute Council still has to find £4.2 million to fill the gap in health services, while £500,000-worth of social work savings must also be found. Islanders face challenges in accessing health and social care services. Research has shown that there is a worrying prevalence of certain health conditions in rural Scotland. Those include Huntington’s disease, of which the north of Scotland has one of the highest rates in the world—five times the global average—yet there is no specialist service in the Highlands for that condition. What discussions has the cabinet secretary had with her Cabinet colleagues about the forthcoming islands plan and whether it can be used to allocate additional funding to support island health and social care services?”
“We, of course, appreciate the pressures that health and social care face, which is why we provided record funding for health boards and local government in 2025-26. I understand that the chief officer and chief finance officer of Argyll and Bute’s integration joint board are preparing a recovery plan, which will be presented to the IJB at the end of May, and I welcome the fact that the council is actively discussing all available options to support the partnership and ensure the continued delivery of critical services. The Scottish Government will continue to work with all partners to ensure that the people of Scotland continue to receive the high-quality public services that they expect and deserve.”
“Shona Robison: Perhaps Stephen Kerr should occasionally listen to the answers—he may even learn something. Stephen Kerr: But it is nonsense. The Presiding Officer: Mr Kerr, I ask that, when you have put your question, you listen with courtesy. Stephen Kerr: It was wrong! The Presiding Officer: Mr Kerr! National Resource Allocation Formula 7.”
“Shona Robison: It is refreshing to hear a Tory say that he does not support low pay, given that Stephen Kerr’s Tory Government at Westminster based its whole economic strategy on low pay, which, of course, this Government has addressed— Stephen Kerr: Rubbish! The Presiding Officer: Let us hear the cabinet secretary. Shona Robison: We have addressed that with our support for the real living wage, which has driven up wages in Scotland. It is also important to consider the package of support that we are providing in the round. Households that are in the lower half of the income distribution are, on average, around £450 per year better off than they would be under the UK’s tax and social security policies. Stephen Kerr: By having lower pay.”
“Anyone in Scotland who has an income of less than £30,000 will pay less income tax than they would if they lived elsewhere in the United Kingdom. That accounts for more than half of Scottish income tax payers. Stephen Kerr: The median salary in Scotland is projected to be £29,750, which is well below the UK figure of £37,480. That is a significant gap. However, Scottish workers face higher taxes if they try to earn more. The cabinet secretary needs to learn that low pay is not a virtue and that taxing aspiration is no route to growth. Does the cabinet secretary accept that Scotland’s income tax policy unfairly burdens working people, discourages ambition and undermines our competitiveness by making it harder for individuals and families to get ahead?”
“The Scottish Government is aware of the project funding requests that have been made by the task force and will consider any proposal that has the potential to drive growth and create high-quality employment opportunities. Income Tax Policy (Impact on Median Income) 6.”
“Stuart McMillan: The cabinet secretary’s reply certainly demonstrates that the Scottish Government has provided additional funding to Inverclyde Council over and above the budget settlement, which I warmly welcome. The Inverclyde socioeconomic task force, which I co- chair, has presented a range of projects to the Scottish Government, which have the potential to benefit the community. Will the cabinet secretary give an assurance that those projects are being considered, notwithstanding the financial challenges that the Scottish Government is facing? Shona Robison: I recognise the importance of the task force’s work. As Stuart McMillan will be aware, the Minister for Employment and Investment has participated in meetings of the task force.”
“Funding such as that awarded in city and region deals is often allocated to regions and therefore not attributable to individual local authorities, even where all local partners benefit directly from the investment. In 2025-26 alone, almost £867 million of funding will be provided to local government over and above the record funding settlement. Inverclyde Council will receive a share of that funding. In recent years, it has benefited from funding to expand the quayside and build a new visitor centre to further expand the Greenock ocean terminal, alongside investment in the learning estate, such as the development at Kilmacolm primary school and St Patrick’s primary school.”
“Shona Robison: The local government needs- based formula that is used to distribute the funding that is available for local government uses the most up-to-date data available to ensure that changes in circumstances are accurately reflected as quickly as possible. The formula is kept under constant review through the settlement and distribution group. Of course, the Scottish Government is always open to suggestions to improve the funding formula, but proposals must come through COSLA in the first instance.”
“The Scottish Government continues to meet regularly with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and individual local authorities to cover a range of topics, including current and future budget pressures. The 2025-26 budget provides an additional £29 million of funding for local and national programmes to support the recruitment and retention of the additional support needs workforce. Colin Beattie: Given the rise in ASN demand across the country, has the Scottish Government considered any changes to the local authority funding formula to better reflect and support local authorities with that rise?”
“It has confirmed that we will receive £339 million for the additional costs of increased employer national insurance, which is, of course, far short of the more than £700 million bill that we estimate public services will face. We face the challenge of having to divert money from front-line services to cover those additional costs, which is an outcome that I am sure no one in this Parliament wants.”
“Does the cabinet secretary agree that the Labour Government must act urgently and agree to fully fund the public purse for those additional costs, and will she join me in calling on Scottish Labour MSPs to stand up for Scotland and put pressure on their Westminster Labour colleagues to reverse that ill-thought-through decision that is impacting on the delivery of public services? The Presiding Officer: On matters for which the cabinet secretary has responsibility. Shona Robison: I agree with that. We have consistently made it clear that the UK Government must fully fund the additional costs. However, it has confirmed that it intends to provide only a Barnett share, which would fail to reflect Scotland’s larger public sector per person than the rest of the UK.”
“I am grateful to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and individual local authorities for their support in urging the United Kingdom Government to fully fund the tax increase. We are deeply disappointed that the UK Government has failed to recognise that the Scottish Government has prioritised investment in our public services and public sector workers. We are now, in effect, being punished for those decisions, but we have provided an additional £144 million of funding, and we will continue to work in partnership with local government to mitigate the impact of the UK Government’s decision on front-line services. Gordon MacDonald: The City of Edinburgh Council will see a £19 million increase in employer national insurance contributions because of the Labour Government’s decision to increase that jobs tax.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I had the same issue. I could not connect. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will make sure that that is recorded.”
“Legislation to End Conversion Therapy Practices 6.”
“Given the importance of self- catering to the Scottish tourism economy, to which it contributes almost £1 billion, does the cabinet secretary agree that the current unfortunate situation needs to be addressed rapidly, before long-term damage is done to the sector? Shona Robison: We absolutely value the contribution that self-catering makes to the tourism sector. We have recognised that by providing hospitality relief of 40 per cent, from which the hospitality sector—of which self-catering accommodation is a part—will benefit. Many operators will also be eligible for the small business bonus scheme. As I said in my initial answer, the Minister for Public Finance will meet the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers. I am sure that he would also be willing to meet the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to hear its concerns.”
“The thresholds that currently apply to self-catering accommodation for the purposes of non-domestic rates were introduced following a recommendation by the 2017 independent Barclay review of non- domestic rates, to counter a known tax avoidance tactic for second homes. Officials have engaged regularly with Scottish assessors, local authorities and business representatives on the implementation of that policy, which was introduced on 1 April 2022, and the Minister for Public Finance has offered to meet the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers in response to its recent concerns. Alexander Stewart: The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce have written to the Scottish Government to highlight their concerns and to suggest constructive solutions for the review of the policy.”
“That option has been backed by Destination Orkney as a way of making it fairer, simpler and more equitable. I appreciate that the consultation is on-going, but will the cabinet secretary please give an undertaking to look very seriously at the option of a point-of-entry levy? Shona Robison: I reassure Liam McArthur that the consultation provides a suitable opportunity to offer views on the idea of a point-of-entry levy, which has been raised with Scottish ministers. Further, detailed consideration of the potential impacts on local authorities, tourism bodies and visitors will be required before any decisions are made on whether to move ahead with any point- of-entry levy.”
“On 27 February, the Scottish Government commenced a consultation on the potential to give local authorities the power to introduce a cruise ship levy. That consultation closes on 30 May and we will consider next steps in due course, after the responses have been analysed. Liam McArthur: The cabinet secretary will recall, from the discussions during the passage of the visitor levy legislation, that I raised concerns about the ability of local authorities such as Orkney Islands Council to introduce a visitor levy without a similar levy applying to cruise traffic, as the administration costs of that would be significant. I was encouraged that the consultation that was launched in February included the possibility of a cruise ship levy but also the possibility of a point-of-entry charge.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on finance and local government. There will be a brief pause before we move to the next item of business to allow front- bench teams to change. Grangemouth (Cessation of Refining)”
“Does she agree that the UK Government must take responsibility for that and appropriately support businesses across Scotland, which are facing very specific UK- created pressures? Shona Robison: Absolutely. In recognition of the damaging implications of that increase for businesses, public services and communities, the Scottish Government has called on the UK Government to reverse it. The increase will, of course, lead to opportunity costs in terms of money that could otherwise have provided the additional funding that Sarah Boyack was calling for, or additional funding for local authorities or the health service. Those opportunity costs are resulting in money for public services going straight back to the Treasury, and that is totally unacceptable.”
“The Labour UK Government’s hike in employer national insurance contributions adds more than £700 million in costs to the delivery of public services such as the national health service, schools, local government, universities, social care providers and a wide range of third sector organisations. Despite our calls for full reimbursement, it is clear that the support from the UK Government to meet those costs will fall more than £400 million short of what is required. Bob Doris: I am sure that the cabinet secretary will share my concerns that Labour’s brutal employer national insurance contributions increase may risk the financial viability of some businesses and, in doing so, compound the impact on Scotland’s public finances.”
“I point out to Sue Webber that she cannot support £1 billion of unfunded tax cuts at the same time as calling for more money for the City of Edinburgh Council or anyone else. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Very briefly,”
“Will the cabinet secretary urgently review the funding formula to ensure that Edinburgh gets its fair and needed share of moneys? Shona Robison: As other local authorities have done, the City of Edinburgh Council has received an extra £60 million, or an additional 5.9 per cent of funding, compared to 2024-25, and it will receive £73.9 million—an extra £8.1 million—in capital funding. Sue Webber, in many ways, answered the question herself, because she described the funding formula as being COSLA based. That funding formula is a needs-based formula that is agreed with COSLA on behalf of 32 local authorities each year. If I were to step in and disregard the COSLA agreement, which it arrived at on behalf of 32 local authorities, people would be popping up across the chamber to criticise me for doing so.”
“The Scottish Government routinely engages with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and individual local authorities to cover a range of topics, including current and future budgets. Sue Webber: Thank you for that succinct answer. Last week, at Edinburgh’s housing, homelessness and fair work committee, housing allocations were frozen and now only people with gold priority will be considered for a new council home. All others looking to move home within the city will need to wait even longer. Edinburgh receives a share of around 6 per cent of the affordable housing budget, using a COSLA- based formula that disadvantages the capital. Meanwhile, the acquisitions budget is allocated based on need, which means that Edinburgh receives more than a third.”
“Taken together with its increase in council tax, that is an additional £58.1 million to support front-line services in 2025-26. I therefore certainly hope that, as Maggie Chapman has alluded to, the council will listen to those local representations.”
“The proposals, and too many others like them, will have devastating effects on the lives of disabled people and their carers. Other services, including the stretched national health service, will have to pick up the pieces. What assurances can the cabinet secretary give to disabled people, their carers and others who are concerned about the proposals, as well as those who will be left to pick up the pieces? Shona Robison: I first say that I understand Maggie Chapman’s concern and appreciate the value of day centres and other services for disabled people. Those are proposals by Aberdeenshire Council, but I urge it to listen to the representations that Maggie Chapman has described. We have ensured that Aberdeenshire Council is receiving an extra £42 million, or an additional 7.2 per cent, compared with 2024-25.”
“Ministers and officials regularly meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and individual local authorities to ensure that local government has the capacity and resources that are required to continue to provide communities across Scotland with the high-quality front-line services that they expect and deserve. Maggie Chapman: Tomorrow, people will gather in Fraserburgh to discuss how to prevent proposed council cuts at day centres for disabled people. The proposals would result in provision of day care being limited to severely disabled people, after the council has redefined what counts as severely disabled to reduce eligibility. Transport provision and funding for disabled people to physically get to day care centres might be cut, too, and fees for day care centre places might be increased.”
“As I said to the Parliament yesterday, we will strain every sinew to protect disabled people from this deplorable action by the UK Government. We are committed to eliminating child poverty, but that job is being made harder by the actions of the UK Government. Secondary School Teaching Staff (Dundee) 8.”
“Kevin Stewart: Given that organisations are saying that, by 2030, the poorest 10 per cent will get poorer and the richest 10 per cent will get richer, what analysis has the Scottish Government conducted of the increase in inequality in Scotland as a result of the Labour Government’s spring statement, which takes from the poor while protecting the rich? Is it not now apparent that the only way to create a fairer Scotland is through independence? Shona Robison: Kevin Stewart is absolutely right. We are considering the impact of the UK Government’s planned cuts to welfare policies on Scotland. It is clear from the UK Government’s impact assessment that 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will be pushed into relative poverty by 2029-30. That is likely to increase inequality, and it is shameful.”
“As I set out to the Parliament yesterday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has caused a great deal of concern across Scotland with her decision in the UK spring statement to short-change public services and deliver cuts to some of the most vulnerable in our society. I called on the UK Government to reject the failed approach of austerity, but, although the UK Government might deny it, for many people, this looks and feels like austerity. We are considering the impacts on Scotland’s public finances, and I will set out more detail in the medium-term financial strategy at the end of May.”
“I welcome the focus and commentary of the Scottish Government and the UK Government on public sector reform and efficiency, but do they really have the appetite for the dramatic and disruptive reforms that are required to drive the real savings that we need? To close on the cost pressures that people in the real world, beyond the Holyrood bubble, are facing, the SNP Government’s chronic underfunding of local authorities means that Scots now face eye-watering, inflation-busting council tax and water bill rises. Households face an energy price cap rise, despite Labour’s promise— which has been broken—to cut fuel bills by £300.”
“Why are you saying that when child poverty has gone down? Craig Hoy: The cabinet secretary can chunter as much as she likes, but that is the ultimate long- term sustainable solution—the only solution—to resolving child poverty in Scotland today. I close on a couple of very relevant issues that emerged from the spring statement. OBR data has revealed that tax receipts from North Sea oil and gas will slump from £5.4 billion to just £2.3 billion within five years. I echo the cabinet secretary’s call for progress on the Acorn project, but the sudden drop that is forecast in oil and gas receipts—do not forget that such receipts pay for public services—is a result of the political mood music that the SNP and Labour Governments have set.”
“Spring Statement 2025 (Impact on Scotland)”
“We do not yet have full clarity ourselves on all the detail, and much of the detail for future planning will be contingent on the UK Government’s spending review in June. It is now vital that the UK Government engages with us fully as it looks to conclude the spending review. We want to seize the opportunities that it presents for Scotland and support the delivery of economic growth, which is crucial to the chancellor’s plans. It is clear from the spring statement that the outcome will be very challenging for our public services. This Government will always focus on doing what is best for the people of Scotland, and, as we get to the end of May, we will set out the detail of that in the medium-term financial strategy and the fiscal sustainability delivery plan. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the statement.”
“For example, the UK Government must make a positive decision on awarding the Acorn project and the Scottish cluster as a priority. It is estimated that the Scottish cluster could contribute £17 billion to UK gross value added to 2050, and it is a clear opportunity for the UK Government to work with us to stimulate that investment. I have been frank with Parliament about the impacts of the chancellor’s spring statement on our economy and on public finances. I will be meeting the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Secretary of State for Scotland later this month to set out this Government’s position and the importance of ensuring that the UK spending review delivers for the priorities and needs of Scotland.”
“We know from last week’s spring statement that the public spending outlook for the period of that spending review, in which resource funding will run up to 2028-29, has been cut from what was previously planned. For capital spending, it will set out budgets to 2029-30, and although the chancellor said last week that she intends to protect capital investment, we still need to see what that will mean for the funding that we have for our infrastructure priorities. The Scottish Government has been clear that, to support our efforts to deliver economic growth, we need the UK Government to recognise and respect devolved competencies. After all, where we can support growth here in Scotland will contribute to the chancellor’s growth ambitions. Frankly, we need the investment from the UK Government to match the rhetoric.”
“The Scottish child payment has been a ‘game changer’ for me.” The expert report concludes: “Our new analysis shows that were the UK Government to follow the Scottish Government’s example and make an equivalent per-child investment in social security, the rate of child poverty could drop by 700,000 overnight. Talk of tough choices and fiscal responsibility puts balancing the books ahead of supporting children, who are this nation’s future.” I agree. The funding that we have to take forward our work on child poverty, as well as our other priorities, will be determined by the UK spending review, which reports in June and will set out funding from 2026 onwards.”