John Swinney’s allies view his first Budget since taking over from Humza Yousaf as a year zero moment. They have a strong sense of buyer’s remorse and want to undo the damage Yousaf caused in a short space of time.
He handed the wealthy a lifeline by freezing their council tax and slashed the affordable housing budget by £196m. The latter policy was inexplicable, immoral and poured fuel on the fire of the country’s housing crisis. Swinney’s colleagues believe reversing the Yousaf cut would send a strong statement about the priorities of his Government. He wants the lofty rhetoric about challenging child poverty to be backed up with deeds.