2011/12 Draft Scottish Budget GCVS Summary
On the 17th of November, 2010 the Scottish Government announced Scotland’s draft budget for 2011/12. The budget is yet to gain the approval of parliament required for it to be passed, but in its current form it sets out the SNP government’s intended spending plan for the next year. GCVS have produced a short summary of the main points below.
Third Sector
Of specific interest to the third sector is a stated commitment to involve the third sector more centrally in the delivery of public services, and
- A £5m investment in early years prevention approaches by the Third Sector, a
- A £70m Change Fund to invest in community-based health and social care services for older people
- An increase of £1m for the Climate Challenge Fund
The Scottish Investment Fund, a three year £30m loan and grant fund to build capacity in the sector, which was due to close, has been allocated an additional £3m. SCVO estimates that the 'core' third sector budget will rise by 16% from £20.7m to £24m.
Health
The NHS has received a £280m increase but £70m of that will go towards partnership funding for local authorities to provide social care, leading some critics to suggest that by including inflation, in real terms the NHS is facing a substantial cut.
Free care for the elderly will continue and prescription fees will be abolished.
Local Government
Councils face a 2.6% cut which is much lower than expected. However this will rise significantly (6.4%) if councils do not agree to protect police numbers, early years education and to freeze council tax for another year.
Education
Renewed commitments included no university or college tuition fees, and retaining the educational maintenance allowance for poorer students, but funding for higher and further education has been reduced by around £234m.
34,500 new training opportunities in 2011-12
Arts Funding
Creative Scotland, the body created by the amalgamation of Scottish Arts Council and Screen Scotland, will have its core budget of £35.5 million maintained for the 2011 to 2012 financial year, with a Government saying it recognised "significant efficiencies have already been made through moving to a single arts and culture body."
Infrastructure
Funding available to expand and maintain Scotland's roads, railways, schools and hospitals falls by 20%. However, the government intends to fund new and existing capital projects through the Scottish Futures Trust, a form of PFI believed to be better value for money, which will provide and maintain much needed jobs in the construction industry.
Sport
Commonwealth Games spending to rise from £11m to £27m.
Sources: Scottish Government, SCVO
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