Scottish Parliament – Sept. 10, 2025 – 2

The result of the division on motion S6M-18779, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on improving Scotland’s finances, as amended, is: For 66, Against 54, Abstentions 0. Motion, as amended, agreed to, That the Parliament notes that Scotland’s public services have been hampered by the UK Conservative administration’s austerity budgets;

recognises the deep harm that the UK Conservative administration has done to the economies of the UK and Scotland with Brexit, and that this has reduced Scotland’s public spending by £2.3 billion annually;

further recognises that this loss of public finances impacts on Scotland’s vital public services, including Scotland’s NHS, support for a just transition, and skills training;

notes that a public sector reform programme is underway with the aim of saving public money while protecting the delivery of frontline services;

believes that the UK Labour administration should either explore the application of wealth taxation or devolve the necessary powers to Scotland so that the Scottish Parliament can do so;

welcomes that the Scottish Government has already announced plans for a three-year spending review to be published alongside the upcoming Budget, and believes that it is only with the powers of independence and full control of the fiscal levers that a truly sustainable and fair system can be developed to support efficiency and public service delivery.