Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has announced a rail fare freeze for the coming year, investing £4.3 million to help commuters struggling with the cost of living. The move comes as his government prepares for a crucial Budget vote in Holyrood, where it lacks a majority and needs cross-party support to pass its spending plans.
Swinney made the announcement Thursday morning at Edinburgh Waverley Station. The freeze means rail fares will not increase in April as they usually do each year. Last year, fares rose by 3.8 per cent.
The First Minister told the Press Association the measure builds on last September's abolition of peak rail fares. «The Government recognises the challenges that people face in wrestling with the cost of living at the moment, so we're looking for every step we can take to try to help people,» Swinney said. «We've decided to freeze rail fares for next year, so there'll be no annual increase in rail fares, and what that will do is help commuters to afford their daily travel.»
He added the combined savings from the fare freeze and the earlier peak fare abolition represent «a huge saving in the cost of travel for individuals and helps people at a time when household incomes are under such pressure.» Swinney argued the policy strikes «the right balance between investment in customers and their costs and investment in the rail network.»
Political calculations
The announcement comes ahead of Thursday's first vote on the Scottish Government's Budget. Scottish Labour has already confirmed it will abstain, effectively allowing the tax and spending plans to pass without the government needing additional votes.
But Swinney acknowledged his government must work across party lines. «We obviously have got to work with other parties, because the Government doesn't have a majority – we need to get other people to support us,» he told the Press Association.
The First Minister defended his Budget, highlighting investments in the National Health Service to reduce waiting times, support for families facing cost-of-living challenges, and a major housing investment package. «The Budget merits the support of Parliament and I look forward to voting for it this afternoon,» he said.
Greens seek concessions
The Scottish Greens announced they will abstain in Thursday's stage one Budget vote but signaled willingness to negotiate before the final vote in a few weeks.
Co-leader Ross Greer said his party has already secured Budget changes «which will feed more children, save families money and protect Scotland's natural environment.» But he outlined further demands, including extending free bus travel to under-30s and automatic free state-funded childcare for three-year-olds.
«If the Scottish Government wants Green support for their Budget, we are willing to work with them to deliver the change Scotland needs,» Greer said ahead of Thursday's vote. «Labour MSPs asked for nothing and got nothing on this Budget. Green MSPs have already secured changes [...] We aren't done yet though. We know it can be better.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
