Fiscal forecasts expose SNP financial mismanagement coming home to roost 

Scottish Liberal Democrat finance spokesperson Jamie Greene has today warned that the SNP’s financial mismanagement is coming home to roost as new economic forecasts cut expected GDP growth to just 1.2% in 2025-26 and show the pressures mounting on future Scottish Budgets.

Today’s Economic and Fiscal Forecasts from the independent Scottish Fiscal Commission also show forecast spending on devolved social security payments will increase from £6.9 billion in 2025-26 to £9.4 billion in 2030-31. By 2029-30 spending on social security will now be £2.1 billion more than the funding received from the UK Government for its equivalent policies.

It also warns that there is a large negative budget reconciliation of £851 million currently projected for 2027-28. This means Scotland will get less money in its block grant due to poor growth in Scottish income tax revenues.

Commenting on the report, Jamie Greene said:

“The picture this paints of the state of the Scottish public finances is not a pretty one.

 “Scots have paid more tax but only a fraction of that is available to spend on public services.

“The welfare bill is rising fast, and of course we need a compassionate system but more needs to be done to create good jobs and get those who are economically inactive back to work through skills, training and fast access to proper NHS care.

“A growing economy will grow the tax base and make it much easier to pay for great public services. Instead the government has seen ferries and prisons go wildly over budget and wasted money on a botched deposit return scheme and hugely expensive reforms to social care, which they botched.  This is money which should have been spent on improving public services instead.

“SNP financial mismanagement has come home to roost. It’s clear that Scotland is being failed by both of its governments. If you want a sensible, growing economy and decent public services then it’s time to vote Scottish Liberal Democrats and turf the SNP out of office once and for all.”