Scottish Budget

Finance secretary Kate Forbes announced support for jobs and skills totalling around £1.1 billion when she presented the Scottish Budget 2021-22 yesterday. In an effort to prioritise job creation, measures in the Budget included a commitment to launch a new Green Workforce Academy t

Relief for first-time buyers, which raises the nil rate band for LBTT to £175,000, has been extended, while the ceiling of the nil rate band for residential land and buildings transaction tax (LBTT) will return to £145,000 from April 1, finance secretary Kate Forbes confirmed as part of

More than a thousand people have added their names to a letter to cabinet secretary for finance, Kate Forbes, calling on her to prioritise social housebuilding in today’s Budget statement. Signed by more than 30 advocacy, support and housing organisations, the letter urges Forbes to “use

Significant investment in social housing will be vital if the Scottish Government wants to drive Scotland’s social and economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has said ahead of tomorrow’s budget. The housing b

Measures promoting recovery and renewal will be at the heart of the Scottish Budget this week, according to finance secretary Kate Forbes. New initiatives to drive economic growth, create jobs and tackle inequality will be included alongside further support for business, public services and families

Finance secretary Derek Mackay has confirmed that due to the UK General Election and the cancellation of the UK Government budget, it will not be possible to publish the Scottish Budget 2020-21 until after Christmas. The Scottish Budget 2020-21 was scheduled to take place on December 12. A new date

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay The Scottish Government has reaffirmed its target to build 50,000 affordable homes and pledged more funding to offset the ‘bedroom tax’ though campaigners have criticised the Draft Budget for failing to provide the ambition required to crack the problem of Scotland

John Swinney Scottish local authorities will receive a total funding package of £10.3 billion in 2016-17 as council tax will be frozen for the ninth consecutive year, deputy first minister John Swinney confirmed yesterday.

Annie Mauger The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland has welcomed the additional funds committed towards affordable housing within the Scottish Budget for 2016-17 but urged the Holyrood to maintain further increased housing supply “as a top priority”.

The Scottish Government’s draft Budget Bill 2016-17 has been passed by a majority at the first parliamentary stage. During the debate, deputy first minister John Swinney told MSPs that he will support Scotland’s lowest paid earners and households in a budget that is about “wage rises, not tax

John Swinney Deputy first minister John Swinney has vowed not to increase taxes for low paid workers as MSPs prepare to debate the Draft Budget 2016/17 for the first time at Holyrood later today.

Lang Banks WWF Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to increase its fuel poverty spending after three Holyrood committees challenged its plans.

John Swinney The Scottish Government has announced a year-year increase of £90 million to its affordable housing budget to help it achieve its target of delivering 50,000 affordable homes during the next parliament.

Aileen McLeod Measures announced in the Draft Budget for 2016-17 will help a fairer and wealthier society through Land Reform, environment minister Aileen McLeod has said.

The Scottish Government’s draft budget must show significant investment in energy efficiency as a National Infrastructure Priority to end the scourge of cold, leaky homes, according to a number of organisations. The call by CPAG Scotland, RCN Scotland, SCDI and the Existing Homes Alliance follows