MSPS have backed the Scottish Budget Bill in a vote today.

It includes a number of measures geared at safeguarding household budgets and boosting the economy.

Put together by Finance and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes, it comes six weeks before the end of the financial year and as she continues to wait on final details from Westminster about Scotland's funding package.

WHAT'S THE HEADLINE NEWS?

The big news is the £150 council tax help for three-quarters of the country's households. 

It'll be allocated to folk living in homes in council tax bands A-D through their council tax bills or a direct payment in April, as will those in reciept of a council tax reduction.

It's part of a £290 million cost-of-living package that matches the sum announced for Scotland by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last week. 

Forbes said that allocation is not likely to mean net additional funding due to an expected reduction of a similar amount in other consequential funding that was previously anticipated through the forthcoming UK Government Supplementary Estimates.

WHAT ABOUT DOMESTIC FUEL PRICE HIKES?

There's also £10m earmarked for the Fuel Insecurity Fund which aims to help people who are struggling to power their homes.

A package of £120m has previously been announced for local government in 2022-23. That was after Cosla pressed the Scottish Government for furhter funds.

Forbes has also directed £39.5m for support to businesses, cash that is coming from the £375m Omicron funding for the current financial year. It'll be used to support local economies.

ANYTHING ELSE?

There's also:

  • £16m for culture and major events
  • £7.5m to support inbound tour operators
  • £6.5m to support the childcare sector
  • £3.5m for outbound travel agents
  • £3m for city centre recover
  • £3m to help digitalise small and medium enterprises

WHAT DID FORBES SAY?

She stated: "Large rises in energy bills, increased costs on every day essentials, rising interest rates and the UK Government’s new National Insurance hike are causing huge concern and worry, and people are struggling. These additional costs will hit the most vulnerable in our society, the hardest.

"That is why we will honour our commitment, whatever other Budget challenges we face, to pass on the full £290m to help families now. I am therefore today announcing that there will be three elements to the package of support today."

She went on: "Households across Scotland, across the UK, are struggling with the wide range of rising costs and many of the macro levers, for example, around energy regulation reside with the UK Government. That is why I will be writing to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, again highlighting that we must work together urgently so we can use our joint powers to do more to tackle the cost of living."