Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 14 January 2026
14 Jan 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Finance and Local Government
Budget 2026-27 (International Development)
Twenty years on from the start of our international development programme, the Scottish Government remains committed to that work.
In the draft Scottish budget for 2026-27, which we published yesterday, we set out that
“At a time when others are stepping back from commitments to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, support for Scotland’s International Development Fund and the Humanitarian Emergency Fund will grow to £16 million in 2026-27.”
We have also restated our on-going commitment to climate justice, with more than £12 million allocated in next year’s budget to support vulnerable communities in the global south, particularly women and young people.
In the same item of business
7. Humza Yousaf (Glasgow) (SNP)
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated in the proposed Scottish budget to support its international development efforts. (S6O-05369)
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Shona Robison)
SNP
Twenty years on from the start of our international development programme, the Scottish Government remains committed to that work. In the draft Scottish bud...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I was pleased to see in yesterday’s budget the significant increase in the Scottish Government’s international development fund, which the cabinet secretary ...
Shona Robison
SNP
I absolutely agree with Humza Yousaf. The Scottish Government’s continued support for international development and climate justice is an important way that ...
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
The extra millions for external development, which were announced in the budget, have been allocated at the detriment of many local projects across my region...
Shona Robison
SNP
As I said earlier, that speaks volumes, does it not? Alexander Stewart does not seem particularly bothered about the impact on local services and projects of...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Members!
Shona Robison
SNP
Imagine the impact on local projects from £1 billion of unfunded and unaffordable tax cuts—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Always speak through the chair, cabinet secretary—
Shona Robison
SNP
You should reflect on that before coming to the chamber—Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Members!
Shona Robison
SNP
—and criticising this Government’s decisions.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
All the shouting means that nobody can hear a word that anybody is saying, so, apart from anything else, it is not a very productive way to proceed.