FINANCE Secretary Kate Forbes has pledged this week’s budget will focus on Scotland’s recovery from Covid, with targeted measures to help businesses and families to “get back on their feet”.
Speaking ahead of the delayed announcement on Thursday, she ruled out a public-sector pay freeze similar to that announced by the UK Government and said staff would be offered a “fair and affordable” settlement.
Forbes also hinted at the extension of rates relief for businesses but said the Scottish Government currently has “limited resources” with which to offer such support due to the delay in the UK Government’s spending pledges announcement.
She said: “The budget on Thursday will create the conditions for Scotland to recover and renew.
“The budget will include innovative, targeted measures to help businesses and families get back on their feet and bolster our vital public services.
“I have already ruled out following the UK Government’s public-sector pay freeze and will set out details of a pay settlement that is both fair and affordable.”
She added: “The global pandemic and the problems arising from Brexit combine to make these uniquely challenging times.
“This budget will help Scotland emerge as a globally competitive, fairer and greener country, and I urge all parties to work in the national interest to ensure it is passed by the Scottish Parliament.”
READ MORE: UK Government 'too busy' for Scotland: Kate Forbes on struggles with Westminster
The Scottish budget usually takes place in December, but was delayed after Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the UK budget would be pushed back until March. Forbes said at the time this would cause “significant difficulties” in the process north of the border.
In a tweet, she also pointed out preparations are under way for free bus travel for young people aged under 19 in Scotland, a policy introduced after negotiations with the Scottish Greens for the 2020-21 budget.
She added: “I am open to constructive negotiations with the other parties to pass next year’s budget.”
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said the triple crises of Brexit, the pandemic and climate emergency meant this was “a more important budget than ever”.
He said: “As always, the Greens stand ready to play a constructive role, but the SNP must place a higher priority on protecting the vulnerable and ensuring a fair and green recovery.
“Even before the pandemic, targets on child poverty and climate emissions were being shamefully missed, so it is imperative that the budget laid out by Kate Forbes addresses those rather than make them worse.
“We need to see significant investment in public transport, green energy and warm homes, creating green jobs and building a fairer Scotland.”
Business group CBI Scotland called for the budget to focus on sustainability and skill to bolster Scotland’s economic prospects both in the short and long-term.
CBI Scotland director Tracy Black said that would mean protecting companies so they can deliver growth and investment in the workforce.
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