On the 4th December, the Scottish Government set out their proposed spending and tax plans for 2025 to 2026. Within the Chapter 12 Constitution, External Affairs & Culture, the following points were made in reference to the international development and humanitarian spend from the budget.
“We remain committed to being a good global citizen and to playing our part in tackling global challenges, including climate change, poverty, injustice and inequality. The budget sustains the Scottish Government’s commitment to grow the International Development Fund, as it hits its 20th anniversary in 2025, and to protect the Humanitarian Emergency Fund.
With a proposed settlement of £12.8m budget for the International Development Fund for 2025-26, this represents an increase for next financial year, in comparison to the Budget Act IDF provision for 2024/25 which was £11.5m total.
Here at SIDA, we welcome this increase in international development spending, but remain disappointed that the government’s commitment to £15m by the end of parliament in 2026 looks unlikely to be fulfilled.
You can access the full Chapter 12 section here.