Scottish Budget Unveiled: Public Reactions Highlight Hopes and Concerns

Scotland’s Finance Secretary, Shona Robison, presented her second Scottish Budget, introducing modifications to council tax and income tax, alongside an unexpected declaration to abolish the two-child benefit cap. Commitments included enhanced expenditure for the NHS, a greater provision of affordable housing, and an uplift in cultural funding. BBC News Scotland engaged with individuals across various income brackets to ascertain their expectations from the Budget and its potential impact on their personal situations. The public is invited to submit topics for coverage through Your Voice, Your BBC News. Elise Prentice, a creative assistant at a sustainable textiles charity in Glasgow, who uses they/them pronouns, closely monitored the Scottish Budget for any funding announcements pertinent to the arts sector. With an average annual income of approximately £10,000, their employment stability is contingent upon the charity securing adequate funding in the upcoming financial year. Elise faces the possibility of unemployment by May. Elise commented, “The £34m promised sounds good on paper – it’s an exciting number but I am anxious to see how it’s put into practice.” They also expressed satisfaction regarding the allocation of funds for breakfast clubs, stating, “I liked hearing about money for the breakfast clubs.” Elise elaborated on their personal connection to such initiatives: “I went to what were considered deprived schools in Glasgow’s east end, and I work with young people in deprived places – and so does my mum, so we are always listening out for things like that.” While Elise views many of the announcements favorably, they remain “sceptical” concerning their practical implementation. They remarked, “When you listen at first it sounds great but sometimes there’s a gulf between what’s announced and what it ends up as.” Elise now holds hope that the funding will ultimately reach their employer, though they acknowledge it will not occur rapidly. Despite this, they are endeavoring to maintain an optimistic outlook, stating, “I see a glimmer of hope but I am sceptical – I will take it with a pinch of salt until I see it happen.” Llion Wright-Evans, a 24-year-old student nurse in Glasgow, commented, “It’s just more of the same, isn’t it?” His monthly income of £770 from his bursary necessitates supplementary earnings from team leader shifts at a care home. Llion had hoped for a significant increase in NHS funding to enhance conditions for both patients and staff. However, Shona Robison’s pledge that by March 2026, no individual would face a waiting period exceeding 12 months for a new outpatient appointment, inpatient treatment, or day case treatment, failed to make an impression on him. Llion stated, “I heard that and thought – is it that much now?” He expressed a preference for a shorter waiting time: “I would have liked it to be six months or less – there are conditions affecting people day-to-day, they should be able to live comfortably and without pain.” The removal of the council tax cap is a source of concern for him, as he is currently exempt as a student but will lose this exemption upon qualification. He remarked, “I am not looking forward to that increase.” While he welcomed the news of free bus travel being restored for asylum seekers, he believes the Budget will not bring about substantial change. He concluded, “Overall I was a bit underwhelmed,” adding, “I expected more.” Derek Gunn, a retired reverend residing in Falkirk, expressed apprehension that this budget would disproportionately impact individuals whose incomes are just above the benefits threshold. His annual earnings amount to £28,000, derived from various pensions and supplemented by part-time ministerial work. He stated, “There were no real surprises.” Gunn further commented, “It feels like the benefit will all come later. There is no immediate hope for those on the margin.” Regarding the council tax, he noted, “Lifting the council tax cap was well-flagged to happen. But a hike in council tax will cause some dismay.” Numerous parishioners of Derek had voiced worries about the discontinuation of the winter fuel payment, and with compensatory payments not scheduled until next year, he anticipates a dual negative effect. He elaborated, “The cost of living is still going up. Everything is rising. Incomes are static – this will affect those just above the line for receiving benefits. Those people will be hardest hit.” Derek identified no positive aspects apart from the anticipated reduction in fuel payments by this time next year. He added, “I don’t want to be too critical. I appreciate that the Scottish government is in a corner too – it’s all conditional on the block grant from Westminster.” Domenico Crolla, who represents the third generation of his family managing Oro restaurant in Glasgow’s Shawlands district, had hoped for the Scottish government to extend business rates relief, similar to that provided in England and Wales, to local enterprises. This hope stemmed from his own rates having nearly doubled to almost £40,000 in recent years. He informed BBC Scotland News, “I would have been surprised to hear anything that was amazing.” Crolla further pondered, “But what could they have done?” concluding, “I wasn’t expecting any good news but there’s nothing too bad.” The finance secretary indeed declared an expansion of business rates relief to encompass “most of the hospitality sector.” However, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association indicated that the majority of its members, comprising pubs, hoteliers, restaurants, and clubs, would exceed the eligibility threshold. While the specifics remain undisclosed, Domenico commented, “The rates are scandalous – I am in the southside where every second shop is closed. People can’t afford to pay the rates.” He expressed a desire: “If I had a wish it would be to drop VAT or tax.” Crolla added, “If I got that I would reflect that in my prices. If my menu prices go up they can equally come down.” Farah, a retired academic who ceased working due to a hearing disability, serves as a charity administrator three days weekly to augment her work pension. She describes herself as “comfortably off” yet perceives considerable scope for enhancing the lives of others in her community. She identifies elements of hope within the Scottish Budget, stating, “This all needs to be a long term plan. There will be no easy fixes to the amount of damage that has been wreaked in the last 14 years.” While pleased with the investment directed towards the NHS, she believes its effects will be slow to materialize. She remarked, “I worry people will be impatient,” and emphasized, “The key thing to remember is that it takes longer to fix something than it did to break it.” Farah also highlighted the necessity of training more doctors, nurses, dentists, and allied professions, which would entail revising visa rules and re-establishing appropriate funding for student nurses, acknowledging the significant costs involved. Farah expressed strong approval for the announcement to discontinue the two-child benefits cap in Scotland. She commented, “The two child benefits cap was a dystopian abomination brought in by a government with a perverted sense of Scrooge-like morality. Scrapping it will, all on its own, lift many children out of poverty.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.