Ash Regan announces Alba Party’s first-ever budget deal with Scottish Government

Alba Party’s Holyrood leader Ash Regan has welcomed that the budget funds her request to mitigate the cut to winter fuel payments and further expands free school meals. 

ALBA Party Holyrood leader Ash Regan MSP has come to an agreement with the Scottish Government to back this year’s budget. 

Ash Regan says she has held constructive talks with the Scottish Government, with Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee confirming to Parliament that the Government had come to an agreement with Alba Party to back their tax and spend plans. 

A key ask of Ash Regan was that the Scottish Government stepped in to mitigate the UK Labour cut to winter fuel payments and further progress on free school meal expansion. She has now agreed to back the budget after securing both concessions. 

The Scottish Government had originally planned to mirror the Westminster Government’s policy of means testing winter fuel payment’s but the decision to mitigate the policy will result in close to one million pensioners receiving a Scottish Winter Fuel Payment at the end of this year, with money also set aside to support those most in need this winter. 

Commenting Alba Party Holyrood leader Ash Regan MSP said: 

“I have taken part in Constructive budget talks with the Scottish Government and as part of that process successfully made the case to mitigate the callous UK Labour Government cut to the winter fuel payments. 

“The decision to expand free school meal entitlement further in secondary schools is also welcome on the back of Alba Party’s free school meal campaign. This is an issue that I will continue to press for eligibility to be further increased. 

 “I am pleased to secure Alba Party’s first ever budget agreement with the Scottish Government. We have delivered policies that will put money in the pockets of households across Scotland.”