Edinburgh's King's Theatre revamp wins extra funding in Scottish Government Budget
Edinburgh's King's Theatre has been awarded an extra £2.5 million in the Scottish Government's Budget for its major refurbishment due for completion in months.
Independent Lothian MSP Jeremy Balfour, who lobbied for the additional funding, said it would be enough to make up the project's current shortfall and mean the theatre can re-open debt-free in the summer.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced the new money as part of her Budget for 2026/27, which included the introduction of a “mansion tax” - two new council tax bands for homes over £1 million; a private jet tax; and and increase in the threshold for the two lowest income tax bands.
The Scottish Child Payment will increase by inflation to £28.20 per week and there will be a premium payment of £40 per week for children under 12 months, bolstering efforts to drive down child poverty.
Ms Robison also announced a breakfast club for every primary school by August 2027; and a summer of sport, with free children’s sporting activities, including lessons on how to swim for every primary school child.
And there was a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, including a record £17.6 billion for NHS boards and resources to begin the national rollout of walk-in GP clinics, making it easier to access same-day appointments.
On income tax, she announced the thresholds for the basic rate and intermediate rates would rise by 7.4 per cent to £16,537 (basic) and £29,526 (intermediate), while the higher, advanced and top rate thresholds would remain at £43,662, £75,000 and £125,140 respectively.
Ms Robison said: “By raising the basic and intermediate rate thresholds by substantially more than inflation, this Budget once again provides tax support for low and middle-income earners.
“It also means that the clear majority of taxpayers in Scotland can expect to pay less income tax than in the rest of the UK."
The additional funding for the King’s Theatre is £1.25m in 2026/27, on top of £1.25m in 2025/26, closing the funding gap for the main construction works.
The three-year refurbishment includes new staircases and lifts, a ground-floor cafe-bar, new stage and improved backstage facilities. The theatre is due to reopen in time for this year’s Festival.
Jeremy Balfour said: “This clears the shortfall in the project's construction budget, which is really positive, and means Capital Theatres now only need to fundraise for the final interior touches.”
He said as well as the King’s Theatre funding he had pressed for cash to provide for more Changing Places toilets - which have extra facilities to support disabled people - and Ms Robison announced £10m funding over three years.
Mr Balfour - who resigned from the Conservatives last year and is standing as an independent at the Holyrood election - said: “The reason these items are in the budget is because I highlighted them and brought them forward. I have tried to be constructive and proactive rather than just deciding I was going to vote this budget down, as some colleagues did.
“The Conservatives did not engage or bring forward any proposals that would be constructive. My view was the budget will pass, let's get the best we can out of it for Lothian and Edinburgh.”
Fiona Gibson, chief executive of Capital Theatres, said: “This funding from the Scottish Government comes at a hugely significant moment for the King’s Theatre and for everyone who has worked so hard to bring this project to life. We are incredibly grateful for their support.”
Capital Theatres said it would continue fundraising to support the finishing touches of the project, ensuring the interior of the historic Edwardian venue is restored to its full splendour.
Ms Robison also announced £11.65 million for The Art Works project, to establish a National Collections Hub for National Galleries of Scotland and National Museums of Scotland, as part of Edinburgh council’s Granton regeneration project.