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Budget (Scotland) (No. 3) Bill

The Budget Bill is how the Parliament agrees public spending in Scotland. A Budget Bill is introduced to the Parliament every year. It follows a slightly different process to other Bills.

This is a Budget bill

The Bill became an Act on 28 March 2024

Introduced: the Bill and its documents

Overview

The Budget Bill is how the Parliament agrees public spending in Scotland. A Budget Bill is introduced to the Parliament every year. It follows a slightly different process to other Bills.

Read more about the budget process

This budget is for the financial year 2024-25.

The total budget for public spending is £54.9 billion.

The schedules of the Bill, which you can read from page 5, describe what money in the budget can be spent on and the maximum amounts that can be spent.

This is the third Budget Bill for Session 6 of the Scottish Parliament.

The Parliament’s standing orders (9.16.2) state that Budget Bills do not require explanatory notes or policy memorandums.

Why the Bill was created

The Scottish Parliament must approve public spending in Scotland for each financial year. It does this by passing the Budget Bill.

Bill as Introduced

Budget (Scotland) (No. 3) Bill as introduced (700KB, pdf) posted 21 December 2023

Accompanying Documents

Delegated Powers Memorandum (116KB, pdf) posted 21 December 2023

Statements on legislative competence (108KB, pdf) posted 21 December 2023

Accompanying Documents (print versions)

Delegated Powers Memorandum (200KB, pdf) posted 21 December 2023

Statements on legislative competence (158KB, pdf) posted 21 December 2023

Financial Resolution

The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is not required for this Bill.

Research on the Bill

The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.

Research briefing on the Scottish Budget 2024-25

The Bill was introduced on 21 December 2023

Stage 1: general principles

At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.

Lead committee examines the Bill

The lead committee for this Bill is the Finance and Public Administration Committee.

Budget scrutiny 2024-25

Stage 1 report by the lead committee

The Finance and Public Administration Committee published its report on 31 January 2024. 

Budget Scrutiny 2024-25

Work by other committees

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Meetings

The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee Committee published its report on 16 January 2024

Read the report


Stage 1 Debate and decision

A Stage 1 debate took place on 8 February 2024 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.
  • Motion title: Budget (Scotland) (No. 3) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Budget (Scotland) (No. 3) Bill.
  • Submitted by: Shona Robison
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 February 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-12096
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 08 February 2024

Result 63 for, 53 against, 1 abstained, 12 did not vote Vote Passed

See further details of the motion


Parliament agreed the general principles of the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 1 on 8 February 2024

Stage 2: changes to the Bill

At Stage 2, MSPs can propose changes to a Bill. These are called 'amendments'. Any MSP can suggest amendments but only members of the Stage 2 committee can decide on them. 

First meeting on amendments

No amendments were submitted ahead of stage 2 proceedings.

Bill as amended at Stage 2

No amendments were made to the Bill at Stage 2. The Bill as Introduced remained the current version of the Bill.

Budget (Scotland) (No. 3) Bill as introduced (700KB, pdf) posted 21 December 2023

The Bill ended Stage 2 on 20 February 2024

Stage 3: final changes and vote

At Stage 3, MSPs can propose further amendments (changes) to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber. At this stage, all MSPs can vote on them.  There is then a debate on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it ‘falls’ and can't become law. 

Debates on proposed amendments

Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 27 February 2024.

Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 3 (148KB, pdf) posted 26 February 2024

Groupings of Amendments for Stage 3 (162KB, pdf) posted 26 February 2024

Final version of the Bill

Final debate on the Bill

Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.
  • Motion title: Budget (Scotland) (No. 3) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees that the Budget (Scotland) (No. 3) Bill be passed.
  • Submitted by: Shona Robison
  • Date lodged: Monday, 26 February 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-12295
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 27 February 2024

Result 68 for, 55 against, 1 abstained, 5 did not vote Vote Passed

See further details of the motion


Parliament decided to pass the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 3 on 27 February 2024

Bill becomes an Act