Health services across Lanarkshire and including Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse will benefit from a £43.2m boost next year, the Scottish Government unveiled in the budget.

The inflation-busting increase will see the Lanarkshire Health Board funding level increase by 3.7 per cent, year on year.

The budget saw SNP Finance Secretary Derek Mackay increase total health and care funding by £729m, putting the future of the health service at the centre of the Scottish Government's financial plan.

The Finance Secretary did however highlight the risk Brexit plays to this investment, with the potential for the Scottish Government to be forced to review the budget should the UK face a 'No Deal' scenario.

Commenting, SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehhouse, said:

"People across this region and within it the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency, will welcome the significant investment in our local NHS services, with its real-term increase in spending.

"The SNP values our NHS and is determined to ensure it stays fit for the future.

"In contrast, the budget exposed the Tory proposals as completely hollow – with their plan to hand high earners a tax cut leaving a £1 billion hole in our public spending.

"Meanwhile, even Labour insiders have admitted that their plans are a 'shambles' with the party failing to cost their spending demands.

"The SNP budget delivers for our NHS in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse."