Kate Forbes

Ms Forbes stressed that the Scottish Budget 2021-22 – incorporating additional measures outlined to Parliament last week including the extension of 100% rates relief for retail, hospitality, leisure, aviation and newspaper businesses for a further 12 months – reflected the priorities of all parties.

Speaking ahead of the Bill’s Stage 1 debate Ms Forbes said: “This is a consensual budget for unprecedented times. We are still dealing with a national emergency and only by working together across Parliament can we provide the support that our businesses, people and communities need.

“I have engaged widely to ensure we deliver not just the Scottish Government’s priorities of creating jobs, supporting our sustainable recovery while responding to the health crisis and tackling inequality, but also those raised by other parties.”

She added: “Further changes may be required once our funding position clarifies following next week’s UK Budget and I will continue working collaboratively to secure parliamentary support.

“The budget delivers £1.1 billion for jobs and skills, record spending for health services, £11.6bn for local government plus a further £259 million of non-recurring coronavirus (COVID-19) funding, and new resources to tackle climate change.

“It lays a solid foundation for Scotland’s recovery and renewal and I look forward to it being supported across the chamber.”