SNP ministers must end their era of “high tax and free spending” in Wednesday’s Scottish Budget and finally start reforming the country’s struggling public services, opposition parties have argued. Shona Robison,

Scotland's total budget last year amounted to some £60bn. The UK government says the block grant for 2025/26 will be £47.7bn. Ms Robison must balance the books every year as the devolved administration has only limited powers to borrow money.

The Scottish Government faces tough spending decisions to fix struggling public services despite an increase in funding from Westminster.

Families must be protected from further punishing tax rises in today's Budget, SNP ministers have been warned.