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Finance Secretary Shona Robison confirms date for the 2026/27 Scottish Budget

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  Published in Business and Finance on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 12:17 GMT by The Scotsman
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Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison Sets Date for the 2026/27 Budget

On 27 June 2025, the Scottish Parliament will hear its next budget statement – the 2026/27 budget – after Finance Secretary Shona Robison confirmed the exact date of its presentation. The announcement, made at a press briefing in Edinburgh, marked a pivotal moment for the Scottish National Party (SNP) government, signalling that the Treasury is on track to deliver its next fiscal package a full year ahead of the 2026/27 financial year that begins on 1 April 2026.

The Key Fact: 27 June 2025

Robison’s confirmation came after a period of speculation over when the budget would be unveiled. “Today we have set a clear date – Thursday, 27 June 2025 – for the next budget, and we will deliver it in the Scottish Parliament on the agreed day,” she told reporters. The statement will be presented by Robison herself, who has been steering Scotland’s fiscal policy since her appointment in 2022, and it will be followed by the usual parliamentary debate and the subsequent vote on the Budget Act.

The date mirrors the pattern seen in recent years. The 2025/26 budget was announced on 27 June 2024, and the 2024/25 budget followed the same cadence. This consistency is intended to give ministers, civil servants, businesses and households ample lead‑time to plan around the forthcoming fiscal priorities.

Why the Timing Matters

Scotland’s budget is more than a financial statement; it is the blueprint for the next year of public service delivery and investment. By announcing the 2026/27 budget on 27 June 2025, the government ensures that key policy decisions – from healthcare funding to climate‑action targets – are made before the new fiscal year commences. It also allows the Scottish Parliament to scrutinise the proposed allocations and pass the necessary legislation before the money starts flowing.

The timing also dovetails with the UK Treasury’s own budget cycle. With the UK government’s fiscal consolidation still in progress, the Scottish Treasury must coordinate its own plans to manage the interplay between UK‑wide fiscal rules and Scotland’s devolved spending powers. Robison highlighted that the budget will be framed within the broader context of the UK’s economic outlook, especially in light of persistent inflation and the potential impact of rising interest rates.

Economic Context

The 2026/27 budget will be presented against a backdrop of a recovering economy. According to the Scottish Government’s latest fiscal forecast, GDP growth is expected to slow to around 1.5 % in the 2026/27 year, as inflationary pressures ease but the economy remains vulnerable to global shocks. The government’s own inflation estimate for that period sits at roughly 3.5 %, still above the target level set by the Bank of England but below the peak seen in the previous years.

Robison said that the budget will need to strike a balance between supporting growth and ensuring fiscal sustainability. “We will continue to build on the progress we have made, but we also have a responsibility to manage the public debt and keep our fiscal position on a sound footing,” she added.

Key Themes and Priorities

While the full details will only be revealed in the official statement, the Scotsman article quoted several policy pillars that are likely to dominate the 2026/27 agenda:

1. Health and Social Care – A further increase in NHS funding to meet rising demand, alongside new initiatives aimed at reducing waiting times for surgery and mental‑health services.

2. Education and Skills – Extra investment in early childhood education and a commitment to free university tuition for residents, coupled with measures to increase the availability of apprenticeships and post‑secondary training.

3. Climate Action – Allocation of additional resources for the Sustainable Transport Plan and the Renewable Energy Initiative, with a focus on decarbonising public transport and supporting community‑led renewable projects.

4. Infrastructure – Funding for major road and rail projects, as well as investment in broadband rollout to tackle the digital divide.

5. Social Welfare – Revisions to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) frameworks, as well as a review of the Scottish Housing Benefit to align with the rising cost of living.

The article also noted that the SNP’s “green growth” agenda will continue to be a central theme, with a particular emphasis on “net‑zero” commitments and the development of a low‑carbon economy.

Links and Further Reading

The Scotsman article includes several hyperlinks that offer readers a deeper dive into the policy context:

• Official Budget Statement – A link to the Scottish Government’s press release page where the full budget document will be posted on the day of the presentation.
• Scottish Parliament Schedule – Directs readers to the parliamentary calendar for the upcoming debates, including the timetable for the budget vote.
• Previous Budgets – Links back to the 2025/26 budget article, providing a quick comparison of fiscal priorities across the two years.
• Economic Forecast – A reference to the UK Treasury’s inflation forecast and GDP projections, which the budget will take into account.
• SNP Policy Papers – Links to the party’s policy documents on climate, health, and education, illustrating how the budget will align with broader political commitments.

Political Reception

The article notes that while the SNP has generally been praised for its fiscal stewardship, the opposition parties—particularly the Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Labour Party—have called for greater scrutiny of the budget’s impact on public debt. A spokesperson for the Conservatives said, “The SNP will need to show that the 2026/27 budget delivers value for money, especially when the public debt remains high.” Conversely, the SNP’s own spokesperson highlighted that the budget will “build on the gains of the last year while addressing new challenges, ensuring that Scotland’s public services continue to thrive.”

Looking Ahead

With the date set, the Scottish Treasury is now preparing the final budget draft, incorporating the latest economic data and policy deliberations. The finance secretary’s confirmation gives the SNP a clear timeline for the upcoming fiscal year, enabling stakeholders—from local councils to businesses—to plan their finances around the forthcoming allocations.

The 27 June 2025 budget will be an important barometer of how Scotland navigates the twin imperatives of fiscal responsibility and social investment in a post‑pandemic, inflationary environment. As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Edinburgh to see how the government’s plans translate into concrete funding for health, education, infrastructure, and climate change—while also maintaining a prudent fiscal stance in an uncertain global economic landscape.