2015 Scottish Budget To Be Set

MSPs will set Scotland's spending priorities for the year ahead later.

A total of £12billion pounds will be spent on the NHS, that's an increase of £380million.

But Labour are calling for an amendement that would provide a "frontline fund" of £100million to ease pressure on staff.

Mr Swinney said spending on Scotland's health service will increase in real terms.

He said: "The overall increase of £380 million in health resource spending will take the total health budget to record levels.

"The Scottish Government's commitment to increase the NHS budget demonstrates a continuing commitment to protecting the health service, and keep it in public hands.

"This budget demonstrates that we are determined to keep the NHS in public hands and totally reject the drive towards privatisation being forced on NHS England by Westminster. It shows that we are determined to reward our hard-working NHS staff, with a modest pay rise and a living wage guarantee, both of which the UK Government are not delivering south of the Border.

"I am proud that we are investing more in the integration of health and social care. This the right thing to do as our health service faces the challenges of the future and is evolving to meet the changing needs of the people of Scotland."

Scottish Labour Finance Spokesperson Jackie Baillie said the country is facing huge challenges in the next 12 months. 
"Arguably the biggest two are in our NHS and the falling price of oil.

“Our NHS is facing unrelenting pressure. NHS staff who have dedicated their careers to saving lives and providing care are horrendously overstretched.  This week we have seen confirmation of what we already knew – our A&E services under the SNP are trailing behind England.

“Scottish Labour have a solution, we have identified £100 million in the budget for a Frontline Fund. It will reduce pressure on frontline staff and deliver better care for patients. John Swinney must bring an amended budget to parliament tomorrow which will stand up for our NHS.”

Meanwhile, the Scottish Liberal Democrats are calling for 8,000 more two year olds to receive free pre-school education. 

Leader Willie Rennie said:

“For every year the SNP take their eye off the ball and refuse to match childcare provision with England, 8,000 two year olds in Scotland miss out. That is 8,000 missed opportunities to our society and our economy. The SNP Government must use today’s budget to repair that damaging gap in provision which will only lock in a gap in attainment. 

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have campaigned with vigour for a fairer package of childcare. We know it is essential to our ambitions to create a fairer society. We have heard every excuse under the sun from SNP ministers. I want John Swinney to back our costed and reasonable plans which would enable more children to get on in life.”