MSPs pass budget

MSPs have passed the Scottish budget for 2025-26.

Scottish ministers won the support of the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Alba to secure a majority of votes in the parliament.

The Scottish Conservatives were the only party to vote against it, while Scottish Labour MSPs abstained.

The final vote was therefore 73 for, 29 against and 21 abstentions.

Finance secretary Shona Robison said: “This budget has been developed through effective engagement and negotiation across parliament to build broad support. It is through this compromise that we are delivering spending plans that will most effectively strengthen services and support Scotland’s communities.”

This is the Scottish Government’s first budget since becoming a minority administration, having had the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens between 2021 and last year.

The deal with opposition parties resulted in more money for drug and alcohol services, hospices, nature restoration, and the protection of Corseford College, Scotland’s only further education pathway for adults with complex and additional support needs.  

Ministers also agreed to expand free school meals to S1-S3 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment from August in eight council areas, and to a year-long regional trial to cap bus fares starting next January.

Scottish Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy criticised the budget for not cutting taxes, warning it would instead “stifle economic growth”.

He added: “The cosy, left-wing consensus at Holyrood has given us the UK’s highest taxes and a welfare bill and government spending that are no longer sustainable or affordable. Only the Scottish Conservatives will stand up for taxpayers and for businesses.”

Labour’s finance spokesman Michael Marra said the budget was “only possible” because of increased funding coming from the UK Government.

Explaining the party’s decision to abstain, he said: “We will not stand in the way of Labour’s record investment reaching the frontline of Scotland’s public services. After years of Tory austerity and SNP incompetence, a funding boost is badly needed.

 “But we know there is no plan from the SNP Government to use that money to deliver lasting change and a new direction for our NHS, our schools and local services.

 “Scotland is being let down by an irresponsible SNP Government that has been reckless with your money and feckless with your public services.”