Unionist parties control most spending for Scotland. But the UK Media is only interested in the bit that the Scottish Government can control. Even the size of this bit is controlled by the UK Government.

The biggest chunk of spending that SNP and the Scottish Greens can control comes as part of the block grant that the UK Government pays the Scottish Government. This funding process is covered more in the graphic insight How is Scotland Funded?

Some of this block grant is paid to local councils, and is their largest source of funding. Local councils also raise money from Council Tax, Non-domestic rates, and local services. Whilst the unionist parties generate a lot of noise about Council Tax, on average it is only 19% of council funding in Scotland.

Of course when Scotland regains Independence, ALL funding will be controlled by the Scottish Government and Scottish parties.

Sources

Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2022-23

Funding of local government in Scotland 2022-23: Scottish Government