MSP Stuart McMillan says the Scottish Government’s budget will provide 'substantial' support to Inverclyde’s health and social care services.

A sum of £19.5 billion has been allocated nationally by ministers for 2024-25, which Mr McMillan says represents a real-terms increase in funding of £550m.

Mr McMillan said: “The SNP Scottish budget set out to support people and Inverclyde’s health and social care services amid very challenging economic circumstances.

“In stark contrast, the latest Tory budget was a betrayal of Scotland’s NHS, with the Chancellor prioritising tax cuts and doing nothing to address the pressures facing frontline services.

“With the limited powers it has, the SNP Scottish Government is determined to protect health services, social care providers and those providing that care in Inverclyde’s community; providing a real-terms increase in funding which takes the total to over £19 billion for the year ahead.

“Under the SNP, the people of Inverclyde can always trust that health and social care services will be protected – which is at the heart of this budget.”