Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, highlights the passing of the Scottish Government’s Budget Bill on Tuesday 27th February.
MSPs passed the 2024-25 Scottish Budget Bill with spending commitments including:
- £13.2 billion for frontline NHS boards, over £1.5 billion for policing and nearly £400 million to support the fire service
- Over £5 billion to help create jobs, support businesses, aid the transition to net zero and fund public transport to provide viable alternatives to car use
- £6.3 billion for social security benefits, £200 million to help tackle the poverty-related attainment gap and £1.5 million to cancel school meal debt
- Over £14 billion for local authorities – the highest settlement yet delivered for local government
The First Minister also announced an extra £62.7m funding for Local Councils across Scotland.
Commenting Fiona said:
“I am pleased that the Scottish Parliament has passed a Budget Bill which is prioritising supporting the people of Scotland and will support hard pressed families and households across West Lothian.
“Some of the key commitments we have seen in this budget that will help West Lothian families include; a fully funded Council Tax Freeze to support household budgets, funding free school meals, £12 per hour wage for nursery and social care staff from April, increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £26.70 per week and lifting 100,000 children in Scotland out of poverty.
“The Scottish Government is committed to delivering the investment needed to boost the public services we all reply on, expand our renewable sector, and protect household incomes. Due entirely to Westminster imposed austerity, West Lothian Council faces a revenue budget gap of £38 million over the four years 2024/25 to 2027/28. We are all paying the price for Westminster control, however, I am proud to see the Scottish Government sung the limited powers at their disposal to support those most in need as we continue to deal with the impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis.
“The Scottish Government are using the powers available to them, in a challenging financial situation, to support households and families – it is clear that the UK Government need to use their Spring Budget to increase funding for public services and infrastructure instead of cutting taxes.”
ENDS