SNP MSP blasts Scottish Government after spending plans delayed by Yousaf exit

An SNP MSP has blasted the Scottish Government after the publication of vital spending plans was delayed by the resignation of Humza Yousaf.

Kenny Gibson, convenor of Holyrood’s finance committee, hit out after being told the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) would not now be published until June 20.

It means MSPs will have just one week to scrutinise the document before the Scottish Parliament breaks for the summer.

The committee is normally given at least one month to look over such publications.

The report is expected to lay bare the extent of the spending challenges facing SNP ministers in the run-up to the next Holyrood election in 2026.

Gibson voiced his frustration to John-Paul Marks – Scotland’s most senior civil servant – at a committee meeting today.

“I only found out less than an hour ago I was receiving this letter,” the veteran Nationalist said. “Surely sending something along the lines that the strategy will not come out until June 20 isn’t really acceptable from a scrutiny point of view?

“It makes it extremely difficult for clerks to get papers out to members, let alone for members to absorb it, to have any meaningful scrutiny on our last committee before recess.”

Marks responded: “Events of the last two weeks are such that we have a new First Minister, a new Deputy First Minister and a new Cabinet.

“So there’s a set of parliamentary events that will occur between now and summer recess including the First Minister’s statement this week and him setting out his policy programme.

“And that will impact on the medium term fiscal strategy, including capital prioritisation in the infrastructure programme.”

Gibson said MSPs would be “more sympathetic” if there had been a change in Finance Secretary – but that job is still occupied by Shona Robison.

Yousaf announced his intention to resign as First Minister on April 29 and was formally replaced by John Swinney on May 8.

The new SNP leader last week hinted he was opposed to more tax rises as he reached out to business in a speech on the economy.

The First Minister warned “you can’t continually increase tax” while speaking at Barclays in Glasgow.

He also said he will go “all out” to attract business and promised a “collaborative and inclusive” approach.

Marks also warned today that Swinney will need to oversee more spending cuts to help balance the books.

Scottish Labour MSP Michael Marra asked if he had communicated to the SNP leader there would need to be “significant spending reductions”.

“I have already done that, yes,” the Permanent Secretary said.

The top civil servant added: “It is a risk, and it needs to be carefully addressed and I expect the Finance Secretary will say a lot about this in June when she sets out her medium term fiscal strategy.”

Marks added: “I have been very open that I consider fiscal sustainability to be a significant risk that needs active mitigation now, and that has been under way through 2022-23 with the emergency budget review, through 23-24 as well where we used a set of very significant set of controls to reduce our outturn.”

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