Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Now, Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin and Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson, have called on opposition MSPs to support the budget which was announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.
Ms Forbes announced it would focus on three guiding principles - a national mission for new, good, and green jobs; promotion of lifelong health and wellbeing and driving equality and helping our young people to grasp achieve their potential.
Record funding of more than £16billion will be invested in the NHS and social care sector, £3.5billion will go towards social security and welfare payments, and investment of £2.7billion will be made in education and skills – with total investment increasing by £3.8billion.
MSPs will vote on the draft budget proposals next month.
Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said:
“This budget has been delivered in exceptional circumstances as we continue to battle a global pandemic and face the harmful impacts of a Tory Brexit we didn’t vote for.
“The green recovery as we come out of lockdown restrictions and return to a new normal will be imperative in helping support Scotland’s economy.
“I’m glad this commitment to investing in jobs and education, resourcing public services for the challenges ahead - with record funding for our health and social care sector - and supporting households at a time of real uncertainty will continue."
“The green recovery as we come out of lockdown restrictions and return to a new normal will be imperative in helping support Scotland’s economy.
“I’m glad this commitment to investing in jobs and education, resourcing public services for the challenges ahead - with record funding for our health and social care sector - and supporting households at a time of real uncertainty will continue."
Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:
“I sincerely hope that MSPs from all political parties will back this Budget, which will support the north-east’s recovery from this Covid-19 crisis and help us build a fairer, stronger, greener country.
“Since the start of this crisis, the Scottish Government has responded quickly and decisively to tackle the continued threats of the virus, while doing all it can to secure social and economic recovery.”
“Since the start of this crisis, the Scottish Government has responded quickly and decisively to tackle the continued threats of the virus, while doing all it can to secure social and economic recovery.”
