<\/p>\n
The Scottish government\u2019s deficit remains in double figures (pic: DB Media Services)<\/p>\n
Spending was \u00a32,720 per person higher in Scotland than the rest the UK last year as a result of increases in welfare and health budgets.<\/p>\n
However, higher revenue, mainly national insurance contributions, helped offset the rise in expenditure and reduced the overall deficit by \u00a3600 million.<\/p>\n
New figures show \u00a322,281 per head was spent in Scotland compared to \u00a319,561 across the\u00a0UK. The largest annual increase in total spending was in \u201csocial protection\u201d, including action on poverty (+\u00a32.1bn), and health (+\u00a31.5 bn).<\/p>\n
Spending rose by \u00a35.7bn (4.8%) in 2025-26 to \u00a3123.6bn while revenue totalled \u00a398.3bn, an increase of \u00a36.3bn (6.9%).<\/p>\n
This helped to marginally reduce the notional deficit to \u00a325.3bn or 10.9% of\u00a0GDP (down from 11.5%),\u00a0compared with 4.2% for the\u00a0UK. This is an improvement of 0.6 percentage points in Scotland compared with a 1.0 percentage point improvement for the\u00a0UK).<\/p>\n
Revenue raised from the North-Sea totalled \u00a33.2bn, or 3.2%, of all revenue raised in Scotland. Excluding the North Sea it was \u00a395.1bn, an increase of 7.6%. This represents 7.7% of all\u00a0UK\u00a0non-North Sea revenue raised.<\/p>\n
Revenue per person in Scotland (\u00a317,718) was similar to the\u00a0UK\u00a0average (\u00a317,720) in 2025-26, when North Sea revenue is included.<\/p>\n
The largest increases in revenue in Scotland came from the UK government\u2019s rise in national insurance contributions (+\u00a32.4bn) and income tax receipts (+ \u00a31.5bn) following the Scottish Government\u2019s decision to freeze the higher, additional, and top rate of Scottish Income Tax. It also reflects the continuing effects of inflation and strong nominal earnings growth.<\/p>\n
The largest decrease in revenue was in North Sea taxes (-\u00a30.4bn), which reflects falling oil and gas prices during the year.<\/p>\n
Devolved revenues raised \u00a327.8bn in 2025-26, an annual increase of \u00a32.1bn (8.2 %). These revenues include Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates, Land and Building Transaction Tax, Scottish Landfill Tax and Scottish Income Tax.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures, Alastair Cameron, chair of anti-independence group Scotland in Union, said: \u201cYear after year these figures provide a rock-solid case for Scotland\u2019s place in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe nationalists may be in perpetual denial about it, but there\u2019s no doubting that Scots benefit enormously from being part of the UK.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means Scotland has billions of pounds extra to spend on vital public services, and it\u2019s one of the main reasons why Scots repeatedly reject the SNP\u2019s demands to break up Britain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe SNP have no answer when it comes to filling this gigantic financial gap, and their continual refusal to do so underlines yet again how threadbare their case for independence is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jenny Gilruth: we are delivering (pic: DB Media Services)<\/p>\n
Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: \u201cThe latest GERS stats show that total and devolved revenues grew faster than spending \u2013 showing in particular that in the areas where our Government has control, we are delivering sustainable finances.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe significant increase in income tax revenues shows that the decisions which this Government has taken are helping to deliver additional funding for measures to ease the cost of living like the Scottish Child payment, free prescriptions, bus travel for under-22s and free university education.<\/p>\n
\u201cGERS provides notional estimates for Scotland\u2019s deficit as part of the UK \u2013 it simply does not show what an independent Scotland\u2019s position will be.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the powers of independence we would be able to chart a different path, ensuring we grow the economy to allow Scotland to reach her full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t #Higher #taxes #ease #rise #welfare #health #spending #Daily #Business<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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