'The tax changes will help me manage my household budget'

It is Budget Day in Scotland, and decisions made at Holyrood will shape lives far beyond the debating chamber.

Announcements on income tax, housing, education and benefits will have an impact across the country.

With just four months until the election, BBC Scotland News asked voters what would make a difference to their lives.

Their concerns highlighted the tough choices the government faced.

Alan wanted more support for low earners like himself and his wife so he is happy with the announcement that people earning less than £30,000 will pay less tax than those living elsewhere in the UK.

The 54-year-old, from Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, has been working for the same retail company since the age of 17 and receives more than the National Minimum Wage.

With his wife also earning a low amount, the household budget can be a challenge.

He had called for the Scottish government to move the bands for income tax to make sure he was not penalised for any pay increases.

"I think the finance minister read my comments as an increase in the lower tax bands is what I wanted," he said. "To increase by 7.4% is excellent."

Alan's other priority was be to give more money to the NHS, especially given some recent "horror"' stories about people having to wait several hours for an ambulance.

"Money earmarked for NHS Scotland is well welcomed," he said before joking: "My private jet tax, well, I will need to weigh that up."

Megan wanted more focus on housing and support for young adults leaving home and setting up for the first time but said she was left disappointed.

"After reading the results of the budget announcements I was disheartened that two of my main concerns weren't addressed," she said.

"I am pleased with some of the points raised, such as more funding for GP practices and paying less tax for residents who live in Scotland compared with elsewhere in the UK, Ireland and Wales, but there is so much work that Scotland needs to do in regards to housing and transport.

"Baby steps have been taken and I appreciate the efforts but more needs to be done. Scotland has a long way to go."

The retail assistant, from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, says she is planning on finding her own place this year.

"I'm currently living with my mum but looking to move out this year as we are being evicted from our house due to the landlord selling.

"Private rent it is just so unaffordable for me.

"It's affecting my mental health, my confidence, feeling like I may not have anywhere to go or feeling like I'll never be able to be independent.

"I'd like the government to really keep a close eye on councils and offer them support when they can, offer as much as they can to people who cannot afford to move out on their own."

Megan also feels the cost of public transport is becoming unaffordable.

"I'd also like more alternative transport links to Glasgow city centre," she said.

Temi, who has a business in Dunfermline, Fife, selling African groceries, feels small businesses need more support to remain sustainable.

Before setting up her business, she did her research and managed to find repayable grants.

Temi also secured a 100% business rate reduction because she is based in the city centre.

She has found a good customer base but she finds herself unable to move forward with her ambitions.

"I want to open a restaurant but if I take another property the rates will be through the roof," she said.

"The budget shows positive intent, but for small businesses the pressure remains.

"Rising costs around energy, staffing and overheads mean more targeted and accessible support is still needed for businesses to grow and stay sustainable."

Temi said the Scottish government could look at providing a funding budget for councils to help small businesses.

"Some funding is there but people don't know what is accessible," she said. "People do not have the capital to launch a business."

Temi feels that ministers don't understand what small business owners need.

"We need a proactive government that will listen to the actual reality of businesses.

"We can't grow when we are trying to stay afloat."

Graham, a father-of-two based in Edinburgh, believes higher earners should pay more.

He said the budget was "pretty much as expected" and was happy with the "mansion tax" although it will slightly hit him in the pocket.

"I'm at least happy there's some effort to push a positive agenda," he said.

"It's certainly not a revolutionary budget but I wasn't expecting much this close the the election. "

Graham is comfortable now but faced insecurity recently.

"I was made redundant [and didn't work] for six months last year and it was a horrible time - especially with the cost of living so high.

"I'm on the second tax bracket now and I'm happy to pay tax. I was previously in the top bracket. I believe the biggest shoulders should be paying more.

"There's far too much money in society now between a small group of people so those with multiple properties etc need to be doing a bit more."

Graham also feels the NHS is feeling the strain and a better distribution of wealth might help with that.

"In terms of education, I know how lucky we are in be in a good catchment area - but we need to be balancing things out a bit," he added.

"I'm so proud to live in a country that provides free university education but I don't know how sustainable it is.

"Maybe after students graduate there could be a system of contributing back when you get into a good job."

Rasmi – originally from Sudan – now lives with his wife and four children in a two-bedroomed flat in Glasgow.

He works part-time as a cleaner for an agency and usually earns about £1,000 a month.

Rasmi says the cost of living is challenging. "Life to be honest is very expensive for many things, especially the bills.

"In the winter time now, I pay a lot of money for gas and electric and all these things. It's very hard to manage all these things."

Rather than calling for an increase in benefits, he would have preferred the minimum wage to be increased - an issue that is reserved to the UK government.

"I think I'd prefer to get more money from my job. It's not making me feel like you give me money, you support me."

If there are issues you think we should cover, get in touch via BBC Your Voice.