The Scottish Government has confirmed it delivered a balanced budget for the 2025–26 financial year, with total spending reaching £55.9 billion against an overall fiscal budget of £56.3 billion.
Figures presented to Parliament show an underspend of £358 million, equivalent to 0.6% of the total budget. The funds will be carried forward into future financial years via the Scotland Reserve, ensuring no loss of spending power.
The provisional outturn comes amid continued financial uncertainty, with much of Scotland’s funding framework remaining dependent on UK Government decisions that are often finalised late in the fiscal cycle.
Public Finance Minister Hannah Mary Goodlad said the government had maintained stability despite these constraints, emphasising its focus on key national priorities.
“The Scottish Government’s budget must balance each and every financial year. The majority of our funding continues to be tied to the decisions of the UK Government and as such is subject to high levels of uncertainty until very late in the financial year,” she said.
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“Despite these challenges, we have continued to deliver effectively for Scotland, focusing on key priorities of growing the economy, tackling child poverty, the cost of living, improving the NHS and public services, and tackling climate change.
“We will continue to take a responsible approach to managing the public finances, delivering public services which are good quality, efficient, effective, and sustainable.”
The underspend reflects ongoing efforts to manage public finances tightly while maintaining investment across key sectors, with ministers signalling that fiscal discipline will remain central in future budget planning.
