As part of the 2022-2023 budget, the Scottish government has dedicated £2m of “crisis funding” to the trans healthcare sector in an effort to relieve pressure on the country’s four NHS gender identity clinics. Delivered on December 9 by finance secretary Kate Forbes, the budget “focuses on tackling the climate emergency, reducing inequalities and supporting economic recovery.” It has also dedicated a record £18bn to health and social care.
Rainbow Greens, the LGBTQ+ wing of Scottish Greens, praised the decision to fund trans healthcare providers, saying: “This interim funding will help relieve pressure on the Gender Identity Services while the system is overhauled thanks to the Greens’ cooperation agreement.” The group now intends to spearhead national reforms to the healthcare system so that gender-affirming healthcare is more accessible to those who need it.
Scottish Green Party co-leader, Patrick Harvie, also celebrated the new budget, saying: “[It] delivers on key commitments made in the cooperation agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens, including making bus travel free to children and young people and doubling the Scottish Child Payment. Our plans will also see over £2 billion invested in tackling the climate emergency, helping accelerate a just transition to a net-zero economy and laying the foundations for a green economic recovery.”
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