SNP Government Underspends £1 Billion Amid Public Spending Concerns in Scotland

The Scottish National Party (SNP) government has faced significant criticism after underspending its 2024/25 budget by approximately £1 billion despite receiving a record funding settlement from the UK Labour government. Audit Scotland's report highlighted that the underspend was due to a combination of additional UK funding and one-off savings, but warned that this shortfall masks a looming £4.7 billion funding gap by 2029/30 driven by rising public sector wages and policy decisions. Critics, including opposition parties and the Auditor General for Scotland Stephen Boyle, accuse the SNP of financial mismanagement, lacking detailed plans to address the growing fiscal deficit, and failing to clearly demonstrate that public spending delivers intended outcomes. The SNP’s financial strategy has been described as short-term and lacking transparency, with concerns over the government's ability to manage public services effectively amidst austerity claims. Despite the underspend, public services such as the NHS face critical challenges including long waiting lists, poverty, and housing crises, raising questions about the government’s priorities and use of devolved powers. The watchdog emphasized the need for more detailed and transparent planning from the SNP to close the funding gap and effectively manage Scotland’s public finances.