Our response to the Scottish Budget 2026-2027

The Scottish Government published its 2026−2027 Draft Budget on 13 January 2026. The budget pledges to prioritise a stronger NHS, support to families experiencing cost of living pressures, and investment in Scottish infrastructure. This includes:

  • Significant investment towards the stability of health and social care services.
  • Continuation of the Changing Places Toilets programme, with an expected £10m investment over the next three years.
  • Commitment to improved out of school provision, including a national breakfast club across all primary schools, expansion of after school activity, and free swimming lessons for all primary school children during Summer 2026.
  • In line with inflation, increase to social security payments, including those specific to unpaid carers.
  • The introduction of Carer Additional Person Payment and the replacement of Carer Allowance Supplement with Scottish Carer Supplement, increasing regular income for unpaid carers.

We welcome these commitments and recognise their contribution towards improved support for unpaid carers and their families in Scotland. Access to suitable toilet facilities can be particularly influential in unpaid carers’ ability to accessing breaks within their communities, so we welcome this programme. The commitment to improving out of school provision is a positive step. Additionally, we hope to see particular regard towards provision for children with additional support needs and parent carers, who are often underserved by out of school services.

However, we are disappointed at the lack of distinct commitment to short breaks and respite care within the budget. Increased investment in short breaks is essential for the implementation of the new right to a break. Without dedicated financial resource the right cannot be fully accessed. We believe increased funding for voluntary sector short breaks and dedicated resource to the right to a break’s implementation would most benefit Scotland’s carers, their families and the services that support them.

We will continue to advocate for the sufficient and sustainable implementation of the right to a break, and work towards ensuring all unpaid carers in Scotland can access regular breaks from caring.