John Swinney must get spending right after funding boost
There is no shortage of options for the Scottish Government when it comes to spending the extra £5.8billion it will receive in funding by the end of the decade.
The recent UK spending review by Rachel Reeves saw a commitment by the UK Government to investment even more in the NHS across England.
That means in turn a cash boost for Holyrood thanks to the Barnett Formula, the long-standing mechanism used to calculate funding for the devolved administrations.
While there is huge pressure on the public finances, it's worth repeating that overall spending is rising and not being cut by the Labour government.
Keir Starmer has endured a difficult first year in power but he cannot be accused of bringing back austerity.
Politicians in Holyrood and Westminster face extremely difficult decisions on where public money should be spent.
SNP ministers have awarded record investment in the NHS but other parts of public life are struggling.
The Record reports today on the grim conditions many police officers currently work in, with some police stations falling apart due to slashed maintenance budgets.
But Scots see the impact of cut-backs to council budgets every time they leave the house. Roads are filled with ever-deepening pot holes, while many pavements are cracked and uncared for.
And £5.8billion is a lot of money but it's not a magic wand. Not everything can be fixed in a flash.
But making sensible spending decisions is something John Swinney and his government must get right.
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Light in darkness
The terrible scenes of death and destruction in Gaza have shocked the world.
From the appalling Hamas-led October 7 massacre to the daily death toll of Palestinians, it has been the darkest time in the decades-long dispute.
In such an intractable conflict, amid a horrific loss of life, with distrust and loathing on both sides, it is hard to have hope at all of any kind of resolution.
If any progress is to be made, however, it is clear it can only be when the killing stops.
A ceasefire is the first step but it can only be achieved if all parties are willing to talk.
It is welcome, therefore, that Israel has finally decided to send a delegation to Qatar to discuss a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas.
US president Donald Trump is also due to meet Israeli PM Benjamin
Netanyahu today.
Hopefully, these are significant steps on the road to peace.
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The Guardian
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- The Guardian
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