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by Staff Reporter
06 October 2025
Late date set for Scottish budget

Finance Secretary Shona Robison agreed a slightly earlier date at the request of the finance committee | SST/Alamy

Late date set for Scottish budget

Finance secretary Shona Robison will deliver the Scottish budget on the later date of Tuesday 13 January.

Typically the Scottish Government sets out its tax and spend plans before the Christmas recess, but it will be later this year due to the UK budget not taking place until the end of November.

Robison had initially proposed 15 January for making her statement to parliament, but the finance committee called for it to be done to ensure there was time for proper scrutiny.

Confirming the agreement of the earlier date, Robison said it would “allow for meaningful scrutiny while also enabling us to take account of the implications of the scheduling of the UK Autumn Budget”.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her own budget on Wednesday 26 November.

Robison said: “The late UK budget – which prevents us from bringing forward our budget before Christmas – must support the delivery of sustainable and efficient public services, whilst increasing business confidence, investment, growth and jobs.

“Difficult choices will be required as a result of Scotland’s disappointing settlement in the UK Spending Review but we will continue to produce a balanced budget that delivers for the people of Scotland.”

After the government has set out its own proposals, a period of negotiation will take place with other political parties to reach an agreement.

Ministers must convince at least one other party to back its budget as it does not have a parliamentary majority.

At the same time, the finance committee will scrutinise the plan – as well as agree to any amendments to the bill at stage 2 which result from those negotiations.

The budget and associated tax resolutions must be passed before the start of the new financial year in April.

There is additional time pressure this year as parliament is expected to dissolve towards the end of March, ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

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