Drafting Scottish budget will be extremely challenging, admits GilruthThe Deputy First Minister spoke about the tight fiscal siatuation faced by the Scottish Government.Jenny Gilruth spoke about the Scottish Government’s budget (Andrew Milligan/PA)PA WireNeil Pooran3 minutes ago
Drafting the next Scottish budget will be “extremely challenging” amid tight fiscal conditions, the Deputy First Minister has said.
Jenny Gilruth said she will not shy away from the challenge of balancing the Scottish Government’s books.
She will be speaking to opposition parties at Holyrood over the coming months to try and develop consensus on the budget ahead of presenting it to Parliament.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) has warned the funding outlook for the next financial year is “exceptionally tight”.
The 2027/28 budget has been complicated by a reduction of £720 million due to income tax reconciliation.
This is needed to correct forecast errors in the 2024-25 Scottish budget, the SFC said.
Ms Gilruth visited Whyteman’s Brae Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on Wednesday and met staff delivering the Hospital at Home service.
Speaking to journalists, she said she will be holding discussions with other parties about efforts to bring down long-term waits in the health service.
Asked how difficult formulating the next budget will be, she told the Press Association: “It will be extremely challenging, and I don’t shy away from that challenge.
“The SFC are correct to point to the challenges.
“I would also say there are great opportunities in the budget to improve the lives of the people of Scotland, the people we all represent.”
Ms Gilruth also holds the role of Finance Secretary within John Swinney’s Government.
She said she recognises Labour and the Liberal Democrats wish to work with the SNP on the budget and pledged to deal with them in “good faith”.
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Ms Gilruth added: “Of course, all that I do as Finance Secretary is really dependent on the block grant arrangements from the UK Government.
“I’ll wait to hear more in that regard in terms of what we are able to provide to the people of Scotland and the approach that we’ll set out as a Government.”
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