Key points from Scottish Government budget

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has delivered the Scottish Government’s annual budget statement at Holyrood, with changes to tax and public spending.

Details were leaked to the BBC ahead of the scheduled statement, leading to Parliament being suspended for just over half-an-hour before the speech.

The 2023/24 Scottish budget is worth £59.8 billion and comes after a year of “economic turmoil” caused by inflation, the war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the pandemic.

Here are some of the key points from the Deputy First Minister’s speech.

Tax rates rising for high earners

Those earning more than £43,662 a year will have to pay more tax.

The higher rate of tax will go from 41p to 42p.

For the top rate of tax, the threshold will be reduced to £125,140 and increase from 46p to 47p.

The changes come despite an SNP manifesto pledge to freeze income tax rates and bands.

Social security

The range of benefits delivered by the Scottish Government will all increase in line with inflation as it was in September – 10.1%.

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT)

LBTT for residential and non-residential properties will remain the same, and relief for first-time buyers will continue.

However the additional dwelling supplement, which applies to people buying second homes, is increasing from 4% to 6%.

Business rates

Also known as non-domestic rates, this tax is administered by councils.

The basic rate, which is also called the poundage, will be frozen at 49.8p. The intermediate property rate, at 51.1p, will be charged on properties with a rateable value of between £51,001 and £100,000. The threshold for the higher property rate will increase from £95,000 to £100,000.

Council tax

The Scottish Government will not mandate a council tax freeze, meaning local authorities will be able to set their own tax levels.

The Deputy First Minister said councils will get a funding boost of £550 million next year.

In his budget speech, Mr Swinney said: “I encourage councils to consider carefully the cost pressures facing the public when setting future rates.”

NHS

Spending on health and social care will increase by £1 billion as a result of the tax changes announced by Mr Swinney.

He said this will go beyond the additional £291 million Scotland will receive from Barnett consequentials.

Scottish independence

The Scottish Government had set aside £20 million for its plans to hold a second independence referendum next year.

However the Supreme Court’s recent ruling means Holyrood cannot legislate for its own referendum.

Mr Swinney said the £20 million will now instead go to the fuel insecurity fund, which helps people at risk of fuel poverty.

Ferguson Marine ferries

Extra money has been allocated to complete the two overdue ferries at Ferguson Marine, which have already exceeded their budget.

It includes an additional £15 million in the current financial year and £57 million next year for work on the vessels.