Scottish Budget: 2023 to 2024
The Scottish Budget sets out the Scottish Government’s proposed spending and tax plans for 2023 to 2024, as presented to the Scottish Parliament.
Chapter 5 Social Justice, Housing & Local Government
Portfolio Responsibilities
The Social Justice, Housing and Local Government (SJHLG) portfolio is responsible for leading the national mission to reduce child poverty, promoting social justice, equality and human rights, providing Scotland's social security system, and providing the strategic relationships for our partners in the third sector. This is a portfolio that seeks to support people in need, achieve equality and fairness, and improve outcomes for individuals and communities across Scotland.
The portfolio also includes funding for local government which continues to protect those most in need in our society, provide lifeline support and ensure the people of Scotland continue to receive the high quality front line services that they expect and deserve.
Building on our commitments set out in the Programme for Government and the COVID Recovery Strategy, alongside our £50 million Tackling Child Poverty Fund, we continue to prioritise funding from across government portfolios to reduce child poverty as set out in Best Start, Bright Futures; and through our Social Innovation Partnership and place-based pathfinder projects to identify and deliver joined-up person-centred interventions that make a real difference.
A key priority is the design, development and implementation of our social security powers and delivery of twelve benefits through Social Security Scotland, including the Scottish Child Payment, at £25 per week, that is now available to all eligible under-16s, and complex disability benefits. We have built a social security system that treats people with dignity, fairness and respect, helps people in need, and supports independent living.
We are investing in Discretionary Housing Payments to provide direct financial support to those struggling with housing costs as well as our work on tackling fuel poverty in close collaboration with the Net Zero portfolio; supporting our continued major expansion of affordable and social housing; and improving safety, accessibility, quality and standards of new and existing homes including addressing unsafe cladding. We continue to provide funding towards our ambition to eradicate homelessness and rough sleeping, and to support the third sector and develop social enterprise.
The portfolio supports a wide range of work to prevent discrimination and promote equality, inclusion and human rights creating the conditions for cohesive, resilient and safe communities. As part of this we are investing £70 million in our Ukrainian Resettlement programme to ensure those displaced by the illegal war in Ukraine continue to receive a warm Scots welcome, and are supported to rebuild their lives in our communities for as long as they need to call Scotland their home. We also support the equality and human rights infrastructure across Scotland to address systemic inequality, tackle hate crime and address violence against women and girls.
Spending Plans
| Level 2 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Third Sector | 26.2 | 25.8 | 21.8 |
| Housing | 893.3 | 888.0 | 721.6 |
| Building Standards | 16.7 | 11.8 | 31.3 |
| Social Justice* | 47.9 | 109.3** | 43.9 |
| Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.3 |
| Scottish Housing Regulator | 5.1 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights | 35.9 | 49.0 | 48.9 |
| Social Security | 472.0 | 535.3 | 525.7 |
| Social Security Assistance | 3,498.4 | 3,949.2 | 5,137.9 |
| Local Government*** | 11,125.9 | 11,266.8 | 11,684.1 |
| Ukrainian Resettlement | – | – | 72.3 |
| COVID-19 Funding | 429.0 | – | – |
| Total Social Justice, Housing and Local Government | 16,554.0 | 16,844.1 | 18,296.7 |
| of which: | |||
| Total Fiscal Resource | 12,954.7 | 12,536.5 | 13,765.3 |
| of which Operating Costs | 93.7 | 99.0 | 100.1 |
| Non-cash | 19.9 | 50.3 | 66.9 |
| Capital | 1,404.7 | 1,341.2 | 1,332.9 |
| Financial Transactions (FTs) | 84.5 | 150.0 | 84.6 |
| AME | 2,090.0 | 2,766.0 | 3,047.0 |
* Excludes COVID-19 Funding of £50m in 2021-22
** 2022-23 budget included funding for the Scottish Child Payment (SCP) Bridging Payment which ceased with the rollout of SCP to eligible children under 16 years in November 2022.
*** Excludes COVID-19 Funding in 2021-22 which is separately identified
| Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator | (3.6) | (3.4) | (3.3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Housing Regulator - shown separately | (5.1) | (5.3) | (6.0) |
| Central Government Grants to Local Authorities returned to portfolios (E&S, Justice and NZET)* | (811.2) | (791.2) | (791.2) |
| Total Social Justice, Housing and Local Government | 15,734.0 | 16,044.1 | 17,496.2 |
| Total Limit on Income (accruing resources) | 90.0 |
*Includes £20m COVID-19 Funding in 2021-22
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Third Sector | 26.2 | 25.8 | 21.8 |
| Total Third Sector | 26.2 | 25.8 | 21.8 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 22.7 | 21.8 | 21.8 |
| Non-cash | – | – | – |
| Capital | – | – | – |
| FTs | 3.5 | 4.0 | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| More Homes | 748.1 | 744.3 | 567.5 |
| Fuel Poverty and Housing Quality | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.3 |
| Housing Support | 142.7 | 141.2 | 151.9 |
| Total Housing | 893.3 | 888.0 | 721.6 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 143.1 | 141.2 | 148.0 |
| Non-cash | – | – | – |
| Capital | 669.3 | 601.8 | 489.0 |
| FTs | 81.0 | 145.0 | 84.6 |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Building Standards | 16.7 | 11.8 | 31.3 |
| Total Building Standards | 16.7 | 11.8 | 31.3 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 3.7 | 3.8 | 4.3 |
| Non-cash | – | – | – |
| Capital | 13.0 | 8.0 | 27.0 |
| FTs | – | – | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Social Justice* | 41.3 | 102.3** | 37.2 |
| Communities Analysis | 6.6 | 7.0 | 6.7 |
| Total Social Justice | 47.9 | 109.3 | 43.9 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 47.9 | 108.3 | 41.2 |
| Non-cash | – | – | – |
| Capital | – | – | 2.7 |
| FTs | – | 1.0 | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
* Excludes COVID-19 Funding of £50m in 2021-22
** 2022-23 budget included funding for the Scottish Child Payment (SCP) Bridging Payment which ceased with the rollout of SCP to eligible children under 16 years in November 2022.
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.3 |
| Total Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.3 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.3 |
| Non-cash | – | – | – |
| Capital | – | – | – |
| FTs | – | – | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Scottish Housing Regulator | 5.1 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Total Scottish Housing Regulator | 5.1 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 4.7 | 4.9 | 5.3 |
| Non-cash | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Capital | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| FTs | – | – | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights | 35.9 | 49.0 | 48.9 |
| Total Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights | 35.9 | 49.0 | 48.9 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 35.6 | 49.0 | 48.9 |
| Non-cash | – | – | – |
| Capital | 0.3 | - | – |
| FTs | – | – | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Scottish Welfare Fund – Administration | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Social Security Advice, Policy and Programme | 195.1 | 219.0 | 217.7 |
| Social Security Scotland | 271.4 | 310.9 | 302.5 |
| Total Social Security | 472.0 | 535.3 | 525.7 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 359.2 | 403.6 | 391.8 |
| Non-cash | 19.7 | 50.1 | 66.7 |
| Capital | 93.0 | 81.7 | 67.2 |
| FTs | – | – | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Scottish Welfare Fund | 35.5 | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Carer's Allowance | 306.0 | 314.9 | 371.8 |
| Carer's Allowance Supplement | 41.7 | 41.8 | 50.0 |
| Adult Disability Payment | 1,669.4 | 1,948.5 | 2,689.6 |
| Attendance Allowance | 549.8 | 544.6 | 614.1 |
| Disability Living Allowance (Adult) | 465.0 | 444.6 | 437.6 |
| Child Disability Payment | 230.9 | 265.2 | 327.6 |
| Industrial Injuries Disablement Scheme | 80.2 | 80.5 | 84.4 |
| Severe Disablement Allowance | 6.8 | 6.2 | 5.8 |
| Best Start Grant | 18.9 | 17.8 | 19.8 |
| Best Start Foods | 9.0 | 13.1 | 17.0 |
| Funeral Support Payment | 11.1 | 11.9 | 12.1 |
| Job Start Payment | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Young Carer Grant | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Child Winter Heating Assistance | 3.1 | 4.0 | 4.7 |
| Scottish Child Payment | 68.0 | 197.4 | 442.1 |
| Winter Heating Payment | – | 21.1 | 23.6 |
| Total Social Security Assistance | 3,498.4 | 3,949.2 | 5,137.9 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 3,498.4 | 3,949.2 | 5,137.9 |
| Non-cash | – | – | – |
| Capital | – | – | – |
| FTs | – | – | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Transfer of Management of Development Funding | 92.2 | 92.2 | 92.2 |
| Vacant and Derelict Land Grant | 7.6 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Total SJHLG Central Government Grants to LAs | 99.9 | 99.9 | 99.9 |
Local Government spending plans in Table 5.12 also include specific grants from Education and Skills, Justice and Veterans and Net Zero, Energy and Transport
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| General Revenue Grant | 7,650.5* | 7,094.6 | 7,133.9 |
| Non-Domestic Rates | 2,090.0 | 2,766.0 | 3,047.0 |
| General Capital Grant | 489.9 | 510.5 | 607.6 |
| Specific Resource Grants | 752.0** | 752.1 | 752.1 |
| Specific Capital Grants | 139.1 | 139.0 | 139.0 |
| Local Government Advice and Policy | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Total Local Government*** | 11,125.9 | 11,266.8 | 11,684.1 |
| of which: | |||
| Fiscal Resource | 8,406.8 | 7,851.3 | 7,890.5 |
| Non-cash | – | – | – |
| Capital | 629.0 | 649.5 | 746.6 |
| FTs | – | – | – |
| AME | 2,090.0 | 2,766.0 | 3,047.0 |
* Excludes COVID-19 funding in 2021-22 of £259m and £100m but includes £726 for the cost of COVID-19 Reliefs
** Excludes COVID-19 funding of £20m in 2021-22
*** Excludes COVID-19 funding but includes specific revenue and capital grants which are held within other portfolios
| Level 3 | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Ukrainian Resettlement | – | – | 72.3 |
| Total Ukrainian Resettlement | – | – | 72.3 |
| of which: | – | – | |
| Fiscal Resource | – | – | 72.3 |
| Non-cash | – | – | – |
| Capital | – | – | – |
| FTs | – | – | – |
| UK Funded AME | – | – | – |
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Non-Domestic Rates Estimate | 2,108 | 2,818 | 3,075 | 3,080 | 3,135 | 3,405 | 3,286 |
| PCA / forecast | 2,054 | 2,829 | 3,075 | 3,080 | 3,135 | 3,405 | 3,286 |
| Distributable Amount | 2,090 | 2,766 | 3,047 | 3,013 | 3,135 | 3,405 | 3,286 |
| Prior Year Adjustments | (104) | 54 | (11) | – | – | – | – |
| Yearly Balance | (140) | 117 | 17 | 66 | – | – | – |
| Cumulative Balance | (200) | (83) | (66) | – | – | – | – |
These figures are rounded to the nearest £1m and may not sum
| Level 3 | Portfolio | 2021-22 Budget | 2022-23 Budget | 2023-24 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | ||
| Criminal Justice Social Work | Justice and Veterans | 86.5 | 86.5 | 86.5 |
| Early Learning and Childcare Expansion | Education and Justice | 521.9 | 521.9 | 521.9 |
| Gaelic | Education and Justice | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Local Government Attainment Grant* | Education and Justice | 120.0 | 120.0 | 120.0 |
| Transport Scotland Inter-Island Ferries | Net Zero, Energy and Transport | 19.2 | 19.2 | 19.2 |
| Total Specific Revenue Grants | 752.1 | 752.1 | 752.1 | |
| Vacant and Derelict Land | Communities | 7.6 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Transfer of Management Development Fund (TMDF) | Communities | 92.2 | 92.2 | 92.2 |
| Regional Transport Partnership | Net Zero, Energy and Transport | 15.3 | 15.3 | 15.3 |
| Cycling Walking and Safer Routes | Net Zero, Energy and Transport | 23.9 | 23.9 | 23.9 |
| Total Specific Capital Grants | 139.0 | 139.0 | 139.0 |
* Former Pupil Equity Fund. Excludes COVID-19 funding of £20m in 2021-22.
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Local Government Budget Settlement1 | 11,121.5 | 11,262.2 | 11,679.6 |
| 1 + 2 languages | 2.4 | 1.2 | – |
| Additional Support for Learning | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Additional Adult Social Workers | – | – | 22.0 |
| Appropriate Adults | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Blue Badge Scheme | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Building Standards Fees | (1.5) | (1.5) | (1.5) |
| Care at Home | - | 124.0 | 124.0 |
| Carer's Act | 40.1 | 60.5 | 60.5 |
| Child Bridging Payments | – | 68.2 | – |
| Community Justice Partnership Funding2 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Customer First Digital Public Services3 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Discretionary Housing Payments | 83.1 | 80.2 | 85.9 |
| Early Learning and Childcare Expansion | 24.1 | 9.1 | – |
| Educational Psychologists | (0.9) | (0.9) | (0.9) |
| Extra Environment Health Officers | 1.7 | – | – |
| Former Housing Support Grant | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Free Personal and Nursing Care | 12.3 | 27.3 | 42.3 |
| Free Sanitary Products in Public Places | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Free Sanitary Products in Schools | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Free School Meals Intervention | – | – | 59.7 |
| Free School Meals (Holiday Provision) | – | – | 21.8 |
| Health and Social Care | 57.2 | 257.2 | 257.2 |
| Health and Social Care and Mental Health | 120.0 | 120.0 | 120.0 |
| Homelessness Prevention Fund4 | 23.5 | 23.5 | 30.5 |
| Interim Care Funding | – | 20.0 | – |
| Living Wage | 59.0 | 233.5 | 333.5 |
| Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies | – | – | 2.4 |
| Local Government Attainment Grant5 | – | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Mental Health Recovery and Renewal | – | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| National Trauma Training | – | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Removal of Curriculum Charges | – | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Removal of Music Tuition Charges | – | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| School Clothing Grant | 6.0 | 11.8 | 13.0 |
| School Counselling | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| School Workforce6 | – | 145.5 | 145.5 |
| Scottish Disability Assistance7 | – | 3.2 | 4.6 |
| Scottish Welfare Fund | 40.9 | 40.9 | 40.9 |
| Self-Directed Support | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Sensory Impairment | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Tobacco-Related Issues | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Whole Family Wellbeing Fund | – | – | 32.0 |
| Total Revenue Funding within Other Portfolios | 511.0 | 1,302.1 | 1,471.88 |
| Expansion of Free School Meals | – | 30.0 | 80.0 |
| Total Capital Funding within Other Portfolios | – | 30.0 | 80.0 |
| Total Local Government Settlement in Local Government Finance Circular | 11,632.5 | 12,594.3 | 13,231.4 |
1 The Local Government Budget Settlement excludes the Local Government and Advice and Policy funding in Table 5.12.
2 Former Community Justice Transitional Funding
3 Former Customer First Funding
4 Former Temporary Accommodation (£23.5m) now combined with Former ringfenced Hostels Grant (£7m) to form the new Homelessness Prevention Fund (£30.5m)
5 Former Pupil Equity Fund
6 Former Additional Teachers and Support Staff funding
7 This includes the Child Disability Payment, and from 2023-24, Adult Disability Payment
8 This includes £13.9m currently held within General Revenue Grant which will be transferred to Transport Scotland Inter-Island Ferries specific revenue grant in-year
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Total Local Government Finance Circular | 11,632.5 | 12,594.3 | 13,231.4 |
| Attainment Scotland Fund | 62.0 | 56.0 | 56.0 |
| Business Gateway | 1.6 | – | – |
| City Region and Growth Deals | 11.2 | 7.2 | 12.7 |
| Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Community Bus Fund | – | – | 1.0 |
| Community Mental Health and Wellbeing | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Education Maintenance Allowance | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 |
| Fair Start Scotland (Lot 4) | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.5 |
| Justice Social Work* | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 |
| Justice Social Work** top-up from Offenders Services | – | – | 21.9 |
| Low Emission Zone Support | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Mental Health Officer Shortfall | 0.5 | – | – |
| No One Left Behind - Long-Term Unemployed | – | 20.0 | – |
| No One Left Behind (previously Local Employability Model) | 7.1 | 15.6 | 30.5 |
| Parental Employability Support Funding*** | 9.7 | 5.8 | 69.7 |
| Private Water Supply Grants | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Schools for the Future Programme | 72.6 | 70.9 | 70.9 |
| Support for Sustainable and Active Travel | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Travel Strategy and Innovation | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.1 |
| Young Persons Guarantee – Local Employability Partnerships | – | 45.0 | – |
| Whole Family Wellbeing Fund | – | – | 0.5 |
| Total Revenue | 223.5 | 278.0 | 312.1 |
| Capital | |||
| Capital Land and Works | 22.0 | 18.9 | 15.0 |
| City Region and Growth Deals | 198.1 | 226.0 | 191.3 |
| Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Community Bus Fund | – | – | 5.0 |
| Future Transport Fund | 51.0 | 51.0 | 33.0 |
| Gaelic Capital Fund | 3.8 | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) | 58.0 | 64.0 | 64.0 |
| Low Emission Zone Support | – | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Place-Based Investment Programme**** | 23.0 | 33.0 | 23.0 |
| Recycling Improvement Fund | – | 13.2 | 18.7 |
| Regeneration Capital Grant Fund | 25.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 |
| Support for Sustainable and Active Travel | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Travel Strategy and Innovation | 35.0 | 16.5 | 12.9 |
| Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme | 5.0 | 5.0 | 10.0 |
| Total Capital Funding within Other Portfolios | 426.9 | 462.6 | 408.9 |
| Total Local Government Funding outwith Core Settlement | 650.4 | 740.6 | 724.0 |
| Overall Scottish Government Funding for Local Government | 12,282.9 | 13,334.9 | 13,870.9 |
* Former Community Justice Services
** Includes Parental Employability Support Funding - former Disabled Parents Employability Support; ELC alignment; Support for young parents; and Supporting Post-16 Transitions towards Employment
*** Former Place, Town Centres and 20 Minute Neighbourhoods
**** Funding subject to evaluation of fund being undertaken following trial period
Social Justice, Housing and Local Government intended contributions to the National Outcomes
Primary National Outcomes
- Communities
- Human Rights
- Children and Young People
- Poverty
Secondary National Outcomes
- Culture
- Health
- International
- Economy
- Fair Work and Business
- Environment
- Education
For further information on the purpose of the portfolio budget, and contributions to national outcomes (including impacts of spend on equality of outcome) please refer to the relevant portfolio annex in the published Equality and Fairer Scotland Budget Statement.
Contact
Email: ScottishBudget@gov.scot
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