Extra £52.5 Million To Support Local Health Services A funding boost delivered by the Scottish Government for NHS Lothian will support frontline health care and help meet new demands across the Lothians, SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has said. NHS Lothian is set to receive an extra £52.5 million compared to last year – taking the total investment from the SNP Scottish Government for the year ahead to £1,384.3 million. The commitment is part of a funding increase of over £400 million across Scotland – and NHS staff are also set to benefit from the ending of the public sector pay cap, boosting wages for hard working nurses, doctors, cleaners and clerical staff throughout the NHS. Commenting, SNP MS
Scottish tourist attractions had more visitors than ever before in 2017 – with over 30 million visitors passing through their doors throughout the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. The latest figures from the Association of Scottish Visitors Attractions show 77% of visitor sites reporting an increase in the number of visits – helping support the local tourist economy across Edinburgh. An increase in tourism has also helped create a booming accommodation market with a 13% increase of visitors staying in serviced accommodation and a 17% increase in self-catering in Edinburgh since last year. Commenting, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald said: “These latest figures are
Pay rise for public sector workers and lower taxes for 70% of Scots. The Scottish Government’s budget protects low and middle income earners and delivers for public services and public sector workers, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, has said as Stage 3 of the Budget (Scotland) (No.2) Bill is laid before the Scottish Parliament. The budget delivers progressive reforms to Scotland’s income tax system, with modest increases on higher earners, while 70% of taxpayers will pay less than they did last year and 55% will pay less than the rest of the UK. Opinion polling found that Scots back the SNP’s tax plans by 2 to 1. The Budget will also deliver an additional £400 million for
City of Edinburgh Council will receive an extra £12 million funding under the revised budget proposals unveiled by Finance Secretary Derek Mackay. The budget boost comes as the Scottish Government confirmed that local government will receive an above inflation increase in resource funding. The SNP budget will give Scots the best deal in the UK – with investment in public services and a tax cut for lower earners. Under the progressive tax reforms 70% of taxpayers will pay less than last year, while higher earners will face a modest increase. These tax changes will allow the Scottish Government to increase health spending by £400 million to £13.6 billion, lift the public sector pay cap and pro
