News - Naidheachdan
SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed the publication of Scottish Budget for 2025-26, set out in a statement yesterday afternoon by the Finance Secretary.
The budget commits £768m to affordable housing projects next year, along with a record £21b for health and social care in 2025-26. Local government funding is also due to be increased by over £1b, while capital spend across Scotland in this budget is to total over £7b.
The budget also allocates £660m for farmers, crofters and the wider rural economy, with agriculture savings from previous budgets being returned to the sector in full via a new capital transformation scheme, and the 100% business rates relief for island hospitality businesses will continue. Gaelic language spending is increasing to £30.5m (from £25m), while renewables investment is tripling to £150m for the next financial year.
These announcements come in addition to the Scottish Government’s reintroduction of a universal winter fuel payment for pensioners across Scotland, announced last week, as well as a commitment to fully mitigate for the UK Government’s ongoing two-child benefits cap policy, which child poverty campaigners say continues to keep hundreds of thousands trapped in child poverty across the UK.
Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:
“Yesterday’s budget is one of hope, one that puts in place the investment that will set our nation up for success both now and in the years to come - creating more and better jobs, putting more money into people’s pockets, as well as re-introducing a universal pension age winter heating payment where this was cut by the UK Labour Government just a few months ago.
“As we are a minority government, other parties must now work with us to get this budget passed and make these ambitions for Scotland a reality. I would urge opposition parties to avoid playing political games in the meantime.
“While the UK Autumn Budget was a step in the right direction, the additional funding received only represents, after inflation, a growth in resource spending of around 1%.
“At the same time, the national insurance employer contributions increased by the UK Government will cost the Scottish Government £600m; therefore, substantial financial pressures persist. The Scottish Government is not permitted to borrow money, and must legally balance our books every single year.
“This budget will deliver progress on the issues people in Scotland care most about – supporting and properly investing in our public services, growing our economy, tackling climate change, and eradicating child poverty. The Scottish Government has listened carefully to the needs and priorities of organisations and businesses across Scotland, and engaged seriously and constructively with other parties, and this can be clearly seen in the priorities set out in this Scottish Budget.”
Alasdair Allan, the SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that it will seek - from within its own resources- to right the wrongs of Labour’s austerity policy which scrapped universal winter fuel payments for pensioners.
As the Scottish Parliament’s repeated calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse their decision to defund these benefits was ignored, the SNP Scottish Government has taken action to protect pensioners by introducing the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment scheme.
The full details are set to be announced in the Scottish Budget next week and, if passed, should come into effect next winter.
The Western Isles still experience the highest levels of fuel poverty in the UK.
Following the announcement, Alasdair Allan commented:
“Naturally, I am relieved the Scottish Government has taken action to make sure pensioners get the help they deserve.
“Since Scotland’s Labour MPs voted to scrap universal payments, I have received many emails from pensioners asking how the UK government could have done this. While clearly it is impossible for the Scottish Parliament to mitigate every cut that comes from Westminster, I hope in this instance we can do that.
“Of course, that is still dependent on the Scottish Parliament passing the Scottish Budget after it is presented to Holyrood next week. Given Scottish Labour’s surprise U-turn to support the introduction of a universal winter fuel payment in Scotland, I now strongly urge them to support rural Scots and back the budget.
“Despite a supposed change in the UK Government, the Scottish Parliament once again finds itself needing to mitigate damaging Westminster policies. The Scottish Government has already used £134 million of its budget this year to do this.
“It is increasingly clear that we need to become an independent nation to stop Scotland constantly being put in this position as a result of harsh policies from the UK.”
ENDS
SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed the publication of the Deputy First Minister’s response to the report on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic.
This report was commissioned as part of the Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation and was completed by a short-life working group compiled of Gaelic speakers from across Scotland working in a variety of different fields.
In the response published on Friday, the Scottish Government accepts or partially accepts almost all of the working group’s recommendations on how to best support and expand economic and social opportunities for the language. As well as language policy, the recommendations cover wider socioeconomic issues impacting the language’s sustainability, such as housing, transport and digital connectivity, which affect Gaelic-speakers’ ability to continue living in key Gaelic communities. The recommendations also outline ways in which economic growth in key Gaelic communities could be boosted; for example, by providing direct support to Gaelic entrepreneurs.
Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:
“I am immensely grateful to the Deputy First Minister for her ongoing and robust engagement on Gaelic policy issues, and welcome her response to the recommendations set out by the Short-life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic.
“This is a significant moment in securing the future of the Gaelic language, and the Scottish Languages Bill, along with secondary legislation, wider policy, and continued community efforts, all have an essential role to play in ensuring the protection and regrowth of the language for the generations to come.”
The full report can be accessed here and the Deputy First Minister’s response can be read in full here.
SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, will host a drop-in session for constituents next Friday in Stornoway Library
The drop-in session will be held on Friday 29th November between 10 and 11am, and is open to any constituent who would like to meet with the MSP about any area of concern. Alasdair and a member of his staff team will also be available to assist any constituent who would like help checking which benefits support they may be eligible for, as well as being able to offer advice on support available during the cost-of-living crisis. Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.
The islands’ MSP said:
“This time of year can be particularly challenging for many across our islands, as energy bills rise along with the cost of everyday essentials. There is support and assistance out there for anyone struggling, and I would welcome the chance to meet with any constituent who would like to meet with me during this drop-in session. While this session has a particular focus on benefits eligibility and cost-of-living support, I would also be very happy to meet with constituents who want to drop in to discuss any wider issue locally. If you would prefer to meet at my office or another location at a different time, just get in touch. My sincere thanks as well to the staff at Stornoway Library for facilitating this drop-in session.”
Constituents who would like to meet with Alasdair Allan outwith the drop-in session time can make an appointment in the usual manner by contacting the constituency office on 01851 700357 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has highlighted the latest figures showing that £6,799,199 was issued by Social Security Scotland in 2023/24 to support people across the Western Isles.
Social Security Scotland issues support payments for those benefits now devolved to Scotland, including the Scottish Child Payment; Best Start Grant; Disability Payments as well as winter heating assistance, support for carers and additional resources for those seeking employment.
Almost £1.9 billion was issued across Scotland in 2023/24 – £6.8m of which went to households in the Western Isles – helping to ensure that those who need help the most get it.
The SNP Government approach, in sharp contrast to that of the UK Government, has ensured that Social Security Scotland is focused on Dignity, Fairness and Respect, with these support payments playing a vital role in Scotland’s journey to eradicating poverty.
Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:
“If we are to truly eradicate poverty in Scotland then it is essential that those who need support the most get it – that is why the principles of Social Security Scotland are Dignity, Fairness, and Respect.
“£6.8m in support payments such as the Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant and specific payments to help those with disabilities, winter heating costs or caring responsibilities was issued to people across the Western Isles in the past year. This demonstrates the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring that everyone in our society has the support they need.
“In stark contrast to the operations of the UK Government’s DWP, Social Security Scotland aims to lift up and support as many people as possible, particularly as the cost-of-living crisis continues, and energy bills continue to rise.”
SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan has sought reassurances from both the Post Office and the Labour UK Government that the full range of Post Office services will continue to be readily accessible in Stornoway, and without job losses, following reports the crown post office there could close its doors.
Presently, the Post Office and its 115 directly operated Crown Post Office branches acoss the UK remain the responsibility of the UK Labour Government but the Post office reportedly intends to close all of these.
In Stornoway, the Crown Post Office remains the only location offering a full range of services, including passport applications.
Commenting, Alasdair Allan said:
“Businesses and individuals across Stornoway and the Isle of Lewis will certainly be worried about the prospect of Stornoway Post Office closing its doors. With bank branches closing and more services either centralising or moving online, the Crown Post Office, with its full range of services, has become an important hub for the community.
“I have written to the Post Office to seek reassurances about the jobs of employees and and also that the full range of services offered by the Crown Post Office will continue in the town.
“As the Post Office is responsible to the Labour UK Government, I have written to the Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports to seek his assurance that the UK Government will not allow this vital service to close to island communities.
“Ultimately, UK Ministers have the powers to veto this decision, so I urge all of Scotland’s Labour MPs to use any influence they have to stop closures.”
ENDS.
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Alasdair Allan MSP
Constituency Office
20 Kenneth Street, Stornoway HS1 2DR
Tel: Lewis & Harris 01851 700357
Uist & Barra 01870 602287
E-mail: alasdair.allan.msp@parliament.scot