Budget 2025-26 and improving miscarriage care

Scottish Budget 2025-26
Scottish Liberal Democrats will support the budget for 2025-26. This budget is not perfect, but the Scottish Government has shown willingness to listen and respond to Liberal Democrat priorities including increased local government funding, a big uplift in the dentistry budget, and more support for people living with Long Covid. That's why my colleagues and I are supporting it and we'll continue to press ministers to deliver on their commitments and seek further improvements where needed. After 17 years of mismanagement by the SNP we wanted to see real change in health, social care, housing and transport. Throughout the process of negotiations on the budget Scottish Liberal Democrats have made clear that meaningful measures needed to be addressed to improve lives across Scotland. Shetland will see more funding for inter-island connectivity, and there has been an acknowledgement from government of the community feeling about tunnels. Ahead of the Infrastructure Investment Plan, we’ve also persuaded the Scottish Government to look much more closely at the project to replace the Gilbert Bain Hospital.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wednesday’s meeting of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee focused on inshore fisheries with a panel of officials from the Marine Directorate. Accurate up-to-date scientific evidence is vital in policy-making, particularly in fisheries, and that was one of the areas discussed during the session.

Improving miscarriage care
On Thursday afternoon the Scottish Government allowed time for the Parliament to debate improving miscarriage care. In my contribution I highlighted comments I made in a Women’s health debate in 2021 about baby loss. Things have improved since then including the Northern Star suite at the Gilbert Bain and a private space in Sumburgh Airport for use ahead of travel for healthcare. More needs to be done to improve mental health support around baby loss and while nothing will stop the mix of long-lasting emotions anything that can help during such an experience is worthwhile.

Meetings
In addition to my Advice Surgery on Monday I met with several organisations including the Centre for Good Relations, Beaver Trust and the Wood Panel Industry Federation. I also dropped in on a webinar exploring the Dietary Intake in Scotland’s Children as well as a rural crime drop-in event for MSPs.