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As Scotland prepares for Budget Day, the decisions set to be announced at Holyrood are expected to have wide-reaching effects beyond the political sphere. Key areas such as income tax, housing, education, and welfare benefits will be addressed, with implications felt across communities. With the upcoming election only a few months away, BBC Scotland News reached out to various voters to understand the issues that matter most to them, reflecting the difficult balancing act the government must navigate.
Among younger Scots, housing remains a pressing concern. Megan Lafferty, a retail assistant from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, is eager to establish her independence but finds private rents prohibitively expensive. She explains, “I’m currently living with my mum but looking to move out this year as we are being evicted from our house due to the landlord selling.” Megan highlights the personal toll this situation has taken on her wellbeing: “Private rent it is just so unaffordable for me. It’s affecting my mental health, my confidence, feeling like I may not have anywhere to go or feeling like I’ll never be able to be independent.” She urges the government to support local councils in assisting those struggling to secure housing and calls for more affordable transport options, particularly links to Glasgow city centre, as public transport costs continue to rise.
For those on lower incomes, financial pressures are also a significant issue. Alan, aged 54 from Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, has worked in retail since his teenage years, earning above the National Minimum Wage. Despite this, balancing household expenses remains challenging for him and his wife. Alan advocates for changes to the income tax structure so that pay rises do not result in higher tax burdens. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of increased funding for the NHS, prompted by concerning reports of long ambulance wait times. “Some recent ‘horror’ stories about people having to wait several hours for an ambulance,” he says, underline the need for investment in healthcare services.
Meanwhile, Graham, a father of two from Edinburgh who has experienced both job insecurity and financial stability, supports higher taxation for top earners. He says, “I’m on the second tax bracket now and I’m happy to pay tax. I was previously in the top bracket. I believe the biggest shoulders should be paying more.” He points to income inequality and wealth concentration, especially among those owning multiple properties, as an area that needs addressing for the sake of public services like the NHS and education. Graham also acknowledges the value of Scotland’s policy of free university education but questions its long-term viability. “Maybe after students graduate there could be a system of contributing back when you get into a good job,” he suggests as a potential solution to sustain the program.
Small business owners also face significant hurdles in the current economic climate. Temi, who runs an African grocery business in Dunfermline, Fife, has benefited from grants and a business rates reduction due to her city-centre location. Despite developing a loyal customer base, she finds expansion difficult owing to high costs. “I want to open a restaurant but if I take another property the rates will be through the roof,” she explains. Temi calls on the Scottish government to provide more accessible funding streams for small businesses, highlighting that many entrepreneurs lack the capital to start or grow their ventures. She stresses the need for a government that listens to the realities faced by small business owners: “We can’t grow when we are trying to stay afloat.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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