JOHN Swinney has said he wants "everybody" to continue receiving universal services like free prescription and university tuition, amid reports that ministers are considering changes to the system.
Speaking on Wednesday during a visit to Stirling, the First Minister said there is "an important social contract" in Scotland, where all citizens get access to these public services.
It comes as the Scottish Government faces spending challenges in its upcoming Budget, worsened by uncertainty around Labour's upcoming announcements on funding. Keir Starmer has this week asked the public to accept "short-term" pain as part of his government's first Budget.
But speaking to journalists, Swinney signalled there will be no end to the principle of universalism in Scotland's public services and benefits – where everyone tends to receive the same entitlement.
A leaked briefing reported by The Times had suggested “some universal benefits” are being reviewed as money-saying options.
The article quoted Caroline Lamb, director-general for health and social care, telling staff that ministers would "potentially" be looking at these benefits as part of cost-saving measures. These include free prescriptions, university tuition, bus travel, school meals and more, according to the Government's own definition.
Swinney said: “There’s an important social contract that’s available in Scotland which provides a range of services that are available to every single citizen.
“On the flip side of that, we’ve taken hard decisions to ask those on higher incomes to pay more in taxation.
“That’s the basis of that contract, some people pay more in taxation and everybody gets access to a range of services. That’s the way I want it to stay.”
However Swinney also said that the Scottish Government will make “hard choices” on public finances in the coming days.
When the Scottish Parliament returns from recess next week, Finance Secretary Shona Robison will update MSPs on the cost-saving measures the Government is taking to balance the books.
A number of moves have been revealed in recent days, including money for nature restoration being redirected to fund council pay awards.
He told journalists: “The Scottish Government is going to have to make some hard decisions about living within the resources that we have available to us.
“We’re having to deal with the consequences of very significant levels of inflation that have eroded the value of public finances.
“We’re also having to deal with understandable pay claims from public sector workers that we are keen to resolve.”
With the Scottish Government cutting back eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment to pensioners, following Labour's decision at Westminster, Swinney said “we just don’t have the money” to avoid such a change.
He emphasised the Scottish Government has always broadly balanced its budget, something which is required by the devolution settlement.
Ahead of his meeting with Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday, the First Minister said he would be urging her to invest in public services.
He accused Labour of breaking their election promises and “prolonging austerity in Scotland”.
