BDA Scotland Policy and Campaigns Officer Rhianna Mallia analyses the Scottish Budget 2025-26.
A budget reflects a government’s priorities, and with the release of the Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2025-26, we can see that health and social care is a key area of focus for the coming years.
“My biggest financial commitment today is... to our NHS.”
Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Finance
However, due to the end of the Bute House Agreement seeing a termination of the partnership with the Scottish Greens, the Scottish Government will need to reach a deal with another party to pass the budget, meaning we could see changes to the proposals before the budget passes.
The budget outlines the plan to “shift the balance of care” to more preventative and community-based support. Here at the BDA, we are pleased to see this reflected in the “record” £21 billion spending within the health and social care department, including an increase of £2 billion, or around 10% in cash terms, for frontline NHS boards - with a focus on prevention, tackling health inequalities, and promoting healthier lifestyles.
If the budget passes, it would see £16.2 billion for health boards to deliver frontline services whilst honouring pay settlements for the workforce. There would also be £200 million allocated to reduce waiting lists and reduce delayed discharge, ensuring that by March 2026, no one will be waiting longer than 12 months for an outpatient or inpatient daycare appointment.
Central to the Scottish Government’s pledge to tackle child poverty, the commitment of £3 million to the new Bright Start Breakfasts scheme is welcomed by the BDA. With no details yet released about the rollout of the scheme, in line with our Expanding Free School Meals campaign, we would hope to see this delivered to all children of primary school age.
“We know how important a healthy breakfast can be for children, particularly those who are most at risk of poverty.”
Jenni Gilruth, Education Secretary
Disappointingly, there was no commitment from the Scottish Government to deliver free school meals to all pupils, instead stating that they will work with local government to deliver the expansion to those in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment in P6 and P7. A red line for the Scottish Greens who announced they cannot presently support the budget because it does not cover a universal expansion.
In an important step to addressing child poverty in Scotland, this budget sees the scrapping of the “benefit cap”, which prevents parents from claiming universal credit or child tax credit for a third child, which has caused “misery for children and families in Scotland”. There are calls for the Labour Government at Westminster to follow suit, as the Scottish Government only has the power to mitigate the effects caused by this cap through investment in other areas.
The dietetic profession will be invaluable in delivering the ambitions laid out in the Scottish budget, through dietitians' key work in prevention within public health and through individual condition progression; the need for continued investment in delivering a strong dietetic workforce; and being key partners in delivering the healthy nation this budget aspires to support. The budget sees further prioritisation of health and social care with:
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Long term conditions spending is increasing, with a commitment to continue investing in diabetes technology, and accelerating the delivery of personalised digital health services
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Three major hospital building projects; the Eye Pavillion in Edinburgh, the rebuilding of the Belford hospital in Fort William and a new Monklands Hospital in Airdrie
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The expansion of Hospital at Home and improvements across primary care, including new core funding for enhanced frailty, cardiovascular disease 'and other essential' GP services
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An increase in access to care and support for people living with dementia, with £5 million allocated to voluntary sector short breaks for unpaid carers
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Expanding support for disabled people through the reopened Independent Living Fund
While much of the investment laid out is very welcome, we hope to see the Scottish Government prioritise the rollout of universal free school meals ahead of 2026. When it comes to reducing child food poverty, universal free school meals is likely to be the single measure that can have the greatest impact.
We encourage you, our members, to collaborate with us and other key stakeholders to advocate for our campaigns and matters that are close and important to your practice, education and profession, which is at the heart of what we do here at the BDA.
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