But it also promised far higher NHS spending and to increase public sector pay by more than 1%, while dealing with cuts in its Treasury grant. According to Unison, the public sector union, raising public sector pay 2% across the board in Scotland would cost £380m and by 3%, £560m. Derek Mackay, the Scottish Finance secretary, told The Herald he had called the Treasury on Tuesday to seek postponement. But crucially for Mackay and Nicola Sturgeon, the deal will help relieve intense pressure on the Scottish budget which will be unveiled on 14 December and reduce the need for Sturgeon to call for higher taxes. It is thought Mackay faced a £600m spending black hole earlier this autumn, which the chancellor’s budget yesterday has helped slightly relieve.

Source: The Guardian November 23, 2017 08:07 UTC