"It's good... but it's not right"

Fans of 1990s gameshows will remember Catchphrase's Roy Walker gently telling contestants that their guess at solving the puzzle before them, while good, was not quite the answer that was needed. 

So, to the latest Scottish Government budget. This one is adequately summed up by the former Catchphrase host's saying – “it’s good…but it’s not right”. But how good is it, really, when it comes to actions that will help to end and prevent homelessness?

It's good:

First, this budget is generally good in terms of investment in the health service, young people, reducing child poverty and reference to help with the cost of living. These are all positives. But in making these investments without referring to housing support, homelessness prevention or the housing and homelessness emergency, the Government has failed to acknowledge the importance of these factors in easing cost of living pressures and the future of young people.

...but it's not right:

The Government’s prioritisation of easing the cost of living and of reducing childhood poverty are actions that we support but neglecting to mention, or invest in, ending homelessness as part of the budget’s ‘cost of living package’, or in its child poverty measures, is a serious missed opportunity. It also fails to recognise that poverty is one of the most defining indicators of someone becoming homeless later in life. The Government risks being seen to be failing to match its previously stated ambition on ending homelessness with the action and investment needed, now.

The Scottish Government must evidence that it believes in prevention. This budget does not deliver on its ambitions, in this respect. There is time for that to change ahead of the Stage 3 vote in February and Crisis will work to encourage the Scottish Government to invest further, and faster, in prevention as a minimum.

The reality is that this is an election budget. In a qualified way, it’s good. In terms of a focus on delivering on ending homelessness in Scotland, it’s not right.