Scottish Budget 2022-23: Finance Secretary Kate Forbes' decisions will make a real difference. If only she made all the big calls – Angus Robertson MSP

The Scottish Budget proposed by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has been passed by MSPs (Picture: Fraser Bremner/pool/Getty Images)

Scotland has a new budget with ambitious commitments by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy Kate Forbes which will make a real difference for people across the country.

This positive progress has been made despite the UK government neglecting to provide the finalised funding settlement (Scottish taxpayers money allocated back to Scotland by the UK Treasury).

It says a lot about how the Treasury approaches UK finances and is frankly preposterous that our Cabinet Secretary has to plan a budget without an actual final figure.

Despite this, Ms Forbes has navigated the situation expertly, with a range of responses to prescient issues such as the cost-of-living crisis and continued support due to Covid harms.

In her budget statement, she vowed to provide £150 to every household in receipt of Council Tax reduction in all council tax bands, as well as provide local authorities with funding to pass on £150 to other occupied households in bands A to D in Scotland. Giving relief in this form will ensure households benefit as soon as possible.

On top of this, Ms Forbes announced £10 million for the continuation of the Scottish government’s fuel insecurity fund. This will ensure households that face tough choices about their energy use due to fuel costs are supported. This comes in addition to the previously announced £120 million for councils to mitigate inflationary rises in council tax.