Innovation and economic growth will be the focus of this week’s budget, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told business leaders at a conference in Edinburgh yesterday. Continue reading First Minister: Budget will focus on innovation and growth
Tag: budget
Budget: Nursing survey shows need for pay rise, say Greens
A survey of nurses, showing that three quarters of those questioned say they feel financially worse off than they did five years ago, puts pressure on the finance secretary to announce an above inflation pay rise on Thursday says a Green MSP.
The survey by RCN Scotland also reveals that more than a third of nursing staff say they are looking for a new job, a situation Alison Johnstone MSP says will only get worse if Derek Mackay does not announce a “fair pay settlement” as part of the draft Scottish Budget this week.
Alison Johnstone MSP, the Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson, said: “Public sector workers play a vital role in our communities, from nursing and social care staff to teachers and police officers and the real-terms pay cuts they’ve endured must end. The findings of this report should confirm what ministers should already know, that problems like recruitment, retention and staff morale will become even worse if we don’t ensure a fair pay settlement, above inflation, to nurses and other dedicated professionals working in the NHS.
“These real-terms pay cuts in recent years are clearly having a negative impact. The finance secretary must listen to groups representing frontline workers such as RCN Scotland and back the basic principle that a pay rise for our public services is due and can be funded, not from cuts elsewhere, but from fairer taxation that protects low earners.” Continue reading Budget: Nursing survey shows need for pay rise, say Greens
A make or break Budget for local services
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said his priority is to build Scotland’s future as he prepares to present his second Draft Budget to Parliament on Thursday. Councils across the country are braced for further cuts and it’s a ‘make or break’ Budget for local services. Continue reading A make or break Budget for local services
Eradication of Stamp Duty will not benefit Scotland
HOUSE hunters in Edinburgh will see little impact from the abolition of Stamp Duty for first-time buyers, which was the major announcement in the recent UK budget, according to leading experts in the city. Continue reading Eradication of Stamp Duty will not benefit Scotland
Holyrood budget: Greens pledge to protect public services
A publication by the Accounts Commission, showing the extent of the financial stress faced by councils, serves as a wakeup call to the finance secretary say the Greens. Local government spokesperson for the Scottish Greens Andy Wightman says the report’s findings make it difficult for Derek Mackay to dismiss key Green demands for the forthcoming draft budget that include protecting public services and a real terms pay rise.
Continue reading Holyrood budget: Greens pledge to protect public services
Take your seat for Budget Question Time
“We have a strong track record of effective financial management” – Cllr Alisdair Rankin Continue reading Take your seat for Budget Question Time
UK Government budget ‘delivers for Scotland’
Was the Westminster Budget good for Scots? As ever, opinion is sharply divided … Continue reading UK Government budget ‘delivers for Scotland’
More smoke and mirrors: a good deal for Scotland … or is it?
£350 million more for Scotland, proving that ‘we are stronger together in this great United Kingdom’, cried a triumphant Chancellor. No, we’re £2.9 billion POORER, said the Scottish Government’s finance spokesman. Confused? You will be. Continue reading More smoke and mirrors: a good deal for Scotland … or is it?
Schools spending boost for Edinburgh
The City of Edinburgh Council benefitted from a nationwide increase of 2.7% in education spending last year, thanks to Scottish Government efforts to close the attainment gap and provide local authorities with a fair funding deal. Local MSP Ben Macpherson says that means a good deal for the city’s schoolchildren. Continue reading Schools spending boost for Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Council Tax to rise by 3%
The City of Edinburgh Council has voted to increase Council Tax bills by 3%. The council says it will continue to prioritise frontline services for young, older and vulnerable residents while making necessary savings under the budget agreed yesterday, but critics say Edinburgh’s citizens are being forced to pay more for poorer council services.