Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has called for support for families in the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget.
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Shona Robison MSP, set out the Scottish Government’s Budget in a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, 25th February. The Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget passed with 73 votes.
Commenting Fiona said:
“I was pleased to see the Scottish Budget prioritising support for children in West Lothian, which is essential as families continue to deal with the increasing Cost of Living.
“The First Minister has been clear that one of the key aims of his Government is to eradicate child poverty in Scotland, and this Budget makes clear steps towards this goal.
“This Scottish Budget will support children and families across West Lothian with a range of payments including Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods, which have paid out over £6.3 million to families across West Lothian since their introduction in 2018.
“With this Budget, the Scottish Government has committed to spending £1.3 billion more on social security than it receives from the UK Government in its block grant, including £471 million on the Scottish Child Payment.
“12,460 children in West Lothian benefit from the Scottish Child Payment, which this Scottish Budget will increase to £27.15 per child per week.
“I am proud to see the Scottish Government make these commitments to support children across my Constituency in a Budget that makes sense for families across West Lothian.
“However, it is extremely disappointing to see Scottish Labour abstain from this vote when they had an opportunity to support families across Scotland.”
ENDS