Budget: Climate and council funding are ‘red lines’ say Greens
Climate projects and council budgets must be protected if the Scottish Government’s budget is to win the support of the Scottish Greens, says the party’s finance spokesperson Ross Greer MSP.
Commenting on the eve of the Scottish budget, Mr Greer called for the SNP to maintain the record £4.7 billion annual funding for climate protection delivered by the Scottish Greens during their time in government, and for council budgets to increase, easing the pressure on schools and care services.
Mr Greer said:
“The Scottish Greens are prepared to work constructively with the SNP to pass a budget, provided that it meets our climate and council funding tests.
“The climate crisis is the defining issue not just for this generation but for every generation that will follow us. With global temperatures rising and the devastating effects already being felt, Scotland must be a climate leader.
“In the last budget the Scottish Greens secured a record £4.7 billion for climate and nature work. This is the minimum investment that we need going forward, given how rapidly the crisis is getting worse.
“Green projects are already creating jobs across the country, particularly in rural areas. Protecting our planet is also a huge economic opportunity for our communities, if the Government invests in it now.
“Unfortunately, over the last six months the SNP has taken Scotland backwards. They pay lip service to the climate emergency while cosying up to oil and gas corporations and slashing spending on critical programmes like the Nature Restoration fund."
Mr Greer said:
“The Scottish Greens expect to see a fair deal for councils in this budget, including a real-terms increase to their funding.
"From schools to libraries to social care to local parks to bin collections, our councils are on the front line of delivering the public services we all rely on. A real-terms funding increase is the very minimum they will need in this budget.
“During our time in government the Scottish Greens delivered new powers for councils to raise vital funds, such as doubling Council Tax on holiday homes. We will always work to ensure a fair deal for the services our communities rely on.”