THE area's two MSPs have welcomed the agreement which has seen a key element of the Scottish Government Budget passed which will see Fife Council receive an additional £6,474 million in the next year.

Ms Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath; and Kinglassie MSP Jenny Gilruth, have both said that the funding for increased hours for early years learning will be of real benefit for families in their constituencies as part of the Budget deal put together by the SNP and Greens.

The amended budget will also see the Scottish Government take the radical step of introducing free bus travel for those aged 18 and under from January 2021.

Police will benefit from a total uplift of £60 million, in the next financial year, with £13m of additional investment in frontline services and a further £5m of additional capital investment, on top of the £42m already committed.

Commenting, Ms Ewing said: “This SNP budget invests a record £15bn in health and care services, delivers Scotland’s unique child payment to lift our youngest out of poverty and supports Scotland’s world-leading efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

“The Scottish Government had already backed Police Scotland with a budget increase of £42m. That will now increase that support to £60m overall with £50m of investment for frontline services.

“Fife will benefit from our share of an extra £95m for local government – with very nearly six and a half million pounds of extra investment".

Said Ms Gilruth, MSP for Glenrothes and Mid Fife: “We have made significant investments to tackle the climate crisis, with funding for a green deal, low carbon travel and £1.8bn of low emission infrastructure.

“The introduction of free bus travel for those aged 18 and under will make an enormous difference to young people – and alongside the £500 million bus infrastructure fund will help deliver a step change in the use of public transport.

“This budget is a good deal for my constituency; for Cowdenbeath; and a good deal for Scotland – and I’m delighted it has now received the support of the Scottish Parliament.

“This is in light of the Scottish Government’s willingness to compromise on issues identified by all parties.”

She added: “This budget is a good deal for Fife and a good deal for Scotland – and I’m delighted it received the backing of MSPs.

“In light of the Scottish Government’s willingness to compromise on issues identified by all parties it has passed this key stage."

The final vote on the 2020 Budget will take place next midweek.