Increased tax credits, greater help for families, support on energy prices, tax cuts, mortgage relief and more educational and law enforcement staff.
Unfortunately, this is not remotely what is being discussed in Westminster.
This is the latest budget from the Republic of Ireland, a country that has defied expectations, and is now a wealthy, happy, independent nation, at the heart of both Europe and the United Nations.
Independence has unleashed Irelandās potential, with the country recently enjoying a budget surplus.
The latest budget includes one-off support payments for the cost-of-living, VAT cuts, an extension of free public transport and cuts in costs for students.
In contrast, Scotland is stuck with Labour and Tory parties at Westminster debating over how big a cut to Scotlandās ambition ā and budget ā should be made.
Taxation and Revenue
The UKās withered tax system rewards the ultra-rich and persecutes hard-working voters. It has seen few major changes since Margaret Thatcherās crusade to turn the UK from a compassionate society to one driven by competition, individualism and self-interest.
Even in 13 years of power, Blair and Brown failed to make the tax system properly progressive. And Sir Keir Starmerās new Labour government offers no alternative, recently digging in its heels on a fresh round of austerity, ditching winter fuel payments while keeping the brutal two-child benefit cap.
With full powers over tax, the Scottish Parliament would not need Westminsterās consent to introduce new revenue-raising ideas currently ignored by Westminster.
Scotland would be able to make our tax system fairer and more sustainable, ditching the Toriesā economic orthodoxy, that is harming economic growth, and to which Labour are now fully subscribed.
With full tax powers, Scotland would be able to pursue progressive income tax policies while ensuring competitive business and corporate taxes that attract investment and jobs, which Ireland has pioneered so successfully.
Labourās cuts are punishing Scotland
The Scotland of today is unrecognisable from the Scotland Labour left to be fixed in 2007.
Not only do we now have the most GPs per head, the best paid nurses in the UK, more affordable housing, and the only NHS not to have ground to a halt because of pay disputes.
We also have a country that is more in line with the European neighbours we admire and respect.
Free prescriptions, free tuition, free personal care. A nationalised rail service. Public infrastructure projects like the Queensferry Crossing delivered on time and under budget. A social security system that puts people first, and the game-changing Scottish Child Payment.
All this is in danger, thanks to Labour. Spending plans in Westminster have forced us here in Scotland to make difficult decisions.
Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour are no different to their colleagues in Westminster. Theyāve openly talked of bringing back tuition fees and would gladly take a sledgehammer to the Scotland we have built together over the last 17 years.
Imagine our potential with independence
If we have achieved this much during 17 years, restrained by Westminsterās devolution rules and the lack of borrowing and tax powers, imagine what Scotland could do with the full powers of independence.
Like our neighbours in Ireland, we could truly build that better path that the Westminster politicians will tell you doesnāt exist. The one theyāll tell you only leads to ruin.
Well this week, itās Irelandās turn to prove them wrong.
