http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Scottish Budget 26/27 en Sun, 24 May 2026 06:35:43 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21866#post-382875 Sun, 18 Jan 2026 12:47:27 +0000 chdot 382875@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No it’s not cycling or in the budget as such -</p> <p>“</p> <p>If ministers agree to the plan – and it is expected they will – then a new role would be created in government for a “chief games officer”. A National Games Innovation Centre will also be established, along with a National Games Skills and Education Forum, and a Games Enterprise and Sustainability Service. Baglow has costed the plan and says it will only require £5 million investment over two years </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://archive.ph/2026.01.18-074100/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25773436.billion-pound-plan-turn-scotland-global-video-games-giant/" rel="nofollow">https://archive.ph/2026.01.18-074100/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25773436.billion-pound-plan-turn-scotland-global-video-games-giant/</a></p> <p>On the face of it, it’s a tiny investment for a massive <em>potential</em> return. </p> <p>If only Govs were as interested in reports suggesting that investments in AT and PT would achieve significant savings to the NHS, road building/maintenance budgets etc and improve ‘wellbeing’ - something some politicians claim to care about. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21866#post-382869 Sat, 17 Jan 2026 23:00:51 +0000 neddie 382869@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And a 42% increase in spending on roads! </p> <p>We’re going to burn this planet aren’t we?</p> <p><a href="https://transform.scot/2026/01/13/jets-buses-and-roads-our-top-3-takeaways-from-the-scottish-budget/" rel="nofollow">https://transform.scot/2026/01/13/jets-buses-and-roads-our-top-3-takeaways-from-the-scottish-budget/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21866#post-382868 Sat, 17 Jan 2026 22:58:28 +0000 neddie 382868@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looks like £60m for the bus infrastructure fund</p> <p><a href="https://transform.scot/2026/01/14/making-the-60m-bus-infrastructure-fund-deliver-for-passengers/" rel="nofollow">https://transform.scot/2026/01/14/making-the-60m-bus-infrastructure-fund-deliver-for-passengers/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21866#post-382771 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:34:59 +0000 Morningsider 382771@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Headline figure is £226 million for active and sustainable travel. This includes a currently unknown amount for the Bus Infrastructure Fund - but likely to be more than this year's £20 million. </p> <p>This means there is probably a small increase in funds for active travel, but it is not possible to be sure. It's all kind of academic, as in-year changes seem to always reduce the total actually spent.</p> <p>Beware of what appears to be a bogus claim that the active and sustainable budget has increased by 66% from 2025-26 (up from a claimed £135.872 million). The <a href="https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/net-zero-energy-and-transport-committee/correspondence/2025/november-2025/letter-from-cabsectransport_active-travel-funding-17-november-2025.pdf">Cabinet Secretary for Transport wrote to the Scottish Parliament's NZET Committee</a> on 17 November 2025 claiming that £178.5 million had already been allocated to active and sustainable travel spending in 2025-26. </p> <p>Given those were allocated funds confirmed by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport to Parliament just a few weeks ago, I can't see how the active and sustainable travel budget for 2025-26 could be £135.9 million. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21866#post-382769 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:01:11 +0000 chdot 382769@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>2:29pm<br /> Scott Wright, Deputy Business Editor</p> <p>Shona Robison has the high-flyers in sights as she targets a new tax on private jets. She also confirms consultation will begin soon on Highlands and Islands exemption from air passenger duty.</p> <p>2:28pm<br /> Andrew Learmonth, Political Editor</p> <p>Shona Robison announces two new council tax bands for the most expensive properties in Scotland, a sort of Scottish Mansion Tax. SG had been wary of that because, frankly, there aren't that many mansions. The Finance Sec also promises to introduce a private jet tax.</p> <p>Both of those were key asks of the Scottish Greens.</p> <p>…</p> <p>2:41pm<br /> Scott Wright, Deputy Political Editor</p> <p>Ms Robison signals Scottish Government’s commitment to protecting Scotland from climate change with investment of £5bn in range of measures, amid growing climate scepticism among right-wing politicians.<br /> Also shows Scotland is going against the gain on international development, pledging that spending will increase by a quarter to £16m. UK Government has cut international development funding.</p> <p>…</p> <p>2:42pm<br /> The Scottish Government invests nearly £200 million to dual the A9.</p> <p>"I say this loud and clear: this Government is committed to the completion of the A9 by 2035."</p> <p>Key sections of the A96 will be taken forward and there will be a new station at Winchburgh.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25760671.scottish-budget-2026-live-shona-robison-sets-tax-plans/" rel="nofollow">https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25760671.scottish-budget-2026-live-shona-robison-sets-tax-plans/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21866#post-382763 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:52:58 +0000 chdot 382763@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Finance Secretary Shona Robison is due to unveil the budget at 2.20pm</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scottish-budget-live-shona-robison-to-unveil-snp-spending-for-202627-5473159" rel="nofollow">https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scottish-budget-live-shona-robison-to-unveil-snp-spending-for-202627-5473159</a> </p>