A defining budget for Robison and her partypublished at 10:14 GMT
James Cook
Scotland editor
Shona Robison’s swansong budget won’t be an easy number.
Day-to-day spending on public services is tight and there’s
an even bigger projected shortfall when it comes to capital spending on
infrastructure projects such as widening roads and building hospitals.
The finance secretary is also under pressure to reduce
the burden on business and on those earning more than about £30,000 per year,
who pay more income tax in Scotland than they would do if they lived in
England.
Councils, colleges and the police are all looking for more money as
well.
And, on top of all that, the finance secretary is being
urged to address the apparent unsustainability of a soaring bill for devolved
disability benefits.
In short, with an election looming, Robison faces tough
decisions that may shape not just her legacy but the SNP’s too.
