Scottish budget date set for late January

The Scottish Government has announced the date it will reveal its budget after Covid-19 caused delays.

Kate Forbes

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes will outline the country’s spending plans on January 28.

It follows the UK Government’s decision to postpone its Autumn Budget until an unspecified date in the new year, with coronavirus adding to uncertainty in the future.

Ms Forbes said: “Coming amidst an unprecedented global pandemic, the forthcoming Scottish Budget will be one of the most important since devolution.

“It is my task to prioritise our resources as effectively as possible to drive the country’s economic recovery from coronavirus while also managing the ongoing impact of the virus.

“The Chancellor’s decision to delay the UK Autumn Budget until next year causes significant difficulties for the Scottish Budget process.”.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak had indicated in September that his Autumn Budget would not come before mid-November, amid economic uncertainty from the coronavirus pandemic.