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 was introduced on 15 January 2026.
This Bill has been introduced.
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 2026-27.
The total budget for public spending is £63.5 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 fifth 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.
The Scottish Parliament must approve public spending in Scotland for each financial year. It does this by passing the Budget Bill.
Budget (Scotland) (No. 5) Bill as introduced (714KB, pdf) posted 15 January 2026
Delegated Powers Memorandum (136KB, pdf) posted 15 January 2026
Statements on legislative competence (108KB, pdf) posted 15 January 2026
Delegated Powers Memorandum (201KB, pdf) posted 15 January 2026
Statements on legislative competence (157KB, pdf) posted 15 January 2026
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
A research briefing will be published in due course.
The Bill was introduced on 15 January 2026