Budget Day is the annual centrepiece of Westminster Parliamentary theatre.

But even some of the more bizarre, time-honoured traditions (such as brandishing the Budget Box on the steps of Number 11 or sipping a whisky and soda whilst balancing the nation’s finances) cannot take away from its importance.

Whereas all political decisions normally affect one section of society or another, the Budget impacts on us all.

Now that we have the Scottish Parliament, though, Budget Day itself does not have quite the same significance as it does in England. While the Income Tax, National Insurance and Excise Duty levels set by the Chancellor apply throughout the UK, it is up to the Scottish Parliament to decide how it will spend our share of the money they raise.

In terms of Scottish front line services, then, the scene in the Scottish Parliament last Thursday afternoon was just as important. First Minister, Jack McConnell, set out where the money would go. As you will doubtless have read, he announced that an extra £3.2 billion will be injected into the NHS over the next five years – an increase of almost 50%.

It is the essence of politics that there is always a debate about exactly what our priorities should be and where extra investment should go. The various parts of Government all do important jobs and will always argue that they should get a bigger slice of the cake. But this is always a pleasant argument to be having. We are in the middle of a period of investment. We are talking about where to put extra money, not where to make cuts.

And most people would agree that in Scotland – and especially the West of Scotland, with our horrific heart disease and cancer rates – improving our health is our most pressing priority.

As I have said before, however, more money on it’s own is not enough. We must make sure it is well spent. There’s no point giving the NHS an extra £3.2 billion if half of it goes on management consultants. As much as possible must go to the front line as quickly as possible.

Bad health – through living in poor houses, working in dangerous industries and having an unhealthy lifestyle – has dogged Scotland for generations. The extra money from the Budget is not a miracle cure. But if it is put to work, it can help bring about one of the biggest changes the NHS has ever seen.