Getty ImagesThe Scottish government is to announce its draft Budget for 2026-27.
Ahead of her speech in Holyrood, Finance Secretary Shona Robison warned she had to make “tough” decisions to balance the tax and spending plans.
She will set the annual funding for Scotland’s health, education, transport, welfare and justice systems, as well as any tax changes.
The announcement comes just four months before the Holyrood election, with the SNP aiming to be re-elected to government to fulfil the budget plans.
Robison told Scotland News that the government had made “tough choices” to balance its Budget and “make the most of its resources”.
She said her priorities were investing in pubic services – particularly the NHS – as well as bringing down the cost of living, improving the economy and tackling the climate crisis.
The SNP does not have a majority in parliament, meaning the government will have to rely on opposition MSPs either abstaining or supporting the Budget for it to pass into law.
It has been speculated that Scottish Labour could abstain – which would ensure that the Budget bill passed – after leader Anas Sarwar said his MSPs would not make the Budget fall.
Robison said she had held “constructive” talks with some parties, but accused the Tories of proposing £1bn of unfunded tax cuts.
How big is the Scottish Budget?
In recent years, the total Scottish Budget has been about £60bn.
The Scottish government will get an extra £750m in 2026-27 as a result of spending decisions by the UK government and improved tax and social security forecasts, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute.
However, the think tank said Robison was facing a £1bn shortfall in the capital budget, which is used for long-term infrastructure projects, as well as services such as maintaining roads.
The Budget will have to pass three stages of parliamentary scrutiny before it can be passed into law.
PA MediaThe Scottish Conservatives have urged the government to cut income tax, lower business rates and increase funding for colleges and universities.
Tory leader Russell Findlay said: “Scottish households and businesses are struggling after years of rising bills under the SNP government.
“It is absolutely critical that John Swinney starts listening and gives people a much-needed break.”
Sarwar said: “A 19th John Swinney budget is not going to change outcomes for people across Scotland but a new government in May can and will change outcomes for people in Scotland.”
The Labour leader said he would consider an emergency budget if his party was elected to government in May.
He told Scotland News that he had plans to fix the NHS, get young people into work and to end a “soft touch” approach to justice.
A ‘fair deal’ for Scots
The Greens – who backed last year’s Budget after securing concessions from the government, along with the Liberal Democrats – have called for new taxes on casinos, bookies and mansions.
The party has also called for an end to a “postcode lottery” in childcare caused by some councils applying entitlement from the start of a school term rather than from a child’s third birthday.
This can mean parents of a child born in March have to wait 22 weeks to access their entitlement, of 1,140 funded hours, in August.
And the Greens want extra support for workers affected by the closure of the Exxon Mobil plant at Mossmorran.
The Lib Dems have also made several demands. These include increased funding for colleges, a “fair deal” for island communities, action on delayed discharge from hospital and better care for people with autism and ADHD.
Jamie Greene, the party’s finance spokesman, said: “Our message to the SNP is simple: if we see movement and investment in these key Lib Dem priorities, then there’s a conversation to be had.”
Robison’s speech is scheduled to start at 14:20, with opposition MSPs to question the SNP minister for an hour afterwards.
A final vote on the Budget bill is expected to be held in late February.
- Scotland will air a special Budget programme, and you can follow live coverage on the Scotland News website.