The RCPod responds to the Scottish and Welsh Budgets 2024/25

RCPod response to Scottish Budget 2024/25

Today’s Scottish Budget saw the Deputy First Minister announce an additional £550m for NHS Health Boards.  While this is welcome, the College questions how much of this funding will reach podiatry services in the face of wider NHS crises. 

With podiatry services under immense strain and the workforce crisis in full force, this budget offered little in the way of relief. How will the workforce crisis be addressed for Scotland?

To increase the podiatry workforce and retain existing staff, there must be clear routes to and opportunities for senior podiatrists within NHS Scotland.  Today revealed a further barrier to these career pathways. Podiatrists above Band 8b will be subject to an advanced rate of income tax of 45%.

For independent podiatrists, this year’s budget also offered little, with only businesses valued at less than £51,000 seeing a business rate freeze.  With high NHS podiatry vacancy rates on Scottish Islands, independent practice has an important role to play.  Despite this, the only rate relief announced was for hospitality in the Scottish Islands.

To achieve the rightful focus of prevention of ill health, described by the First Minister when he outlined his government’s priorities earlier this year, more must be done to support the professions, such as podiatry, who deliver preventative health care.  

RCPod welcomes prioritisation of health in Welsh Budget

Today also saw the publication of the Welsh Budget 2024-25 with a focus on preserving NHS funding.  While this has led to cuts in other areas, which will not be without consequences, the college welcomes Welsh Government’s prioritisation of health.

Unfortunately, this will do little to relieve the extra pressure currently facing the frontline. The college is concerned that the Welsh Government has been unable to fund some health prevention policies and the impact of this on population health, now and in the future.