That the Parliament notes with deep concern the Scottish Fiscal Commission’s forecast of a £4.7 billion funding gap in 2029-30; recognises that without the Union dividend of £2,578 per person there would be a substantial deficit, with Scotland’s 2024-25 net fiscal balancing standing at -£26.5 billion (-11.7% of GDP); regrets that the Scottish Government continues to dismiss these realities and prioritise constitutional campaigning over sound financial management; calls for urgent measures to restore credibility to Scotland’s finances, including a full multi-year spending review to identify priorities, savings, and reform needs, a strategy to cap welfare spending growth, which is currently consuming a significant amount of resource growth, and create jobs by moving more people into work through reskilling and apprenticeships, a focus on productivity and economic growth to broaden Scotland’s tax base by allowing businesses to thrive, and a robust public service reform and stronger Audit Scotland oversight to deliver better value; believes that the Parliament must focus on NHS waiting times, education standards, and community safety rather than fiscal denialism, and resolves that Scotland’s future depends on fiscal discipline, growth, and accountable government within the United Kingdom.
Submitted by: Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date lodged: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Submitted by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date lodged: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Submitted by: Ivan McKee, Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party, Date lodged: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Supported by: Kate Forbes, Shona Robison
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, September 10, 2025