Budget delivers billions for climate emergency
The Scottish budget delivers billions to tackle the climate emergency and rising poverty levels, thanks to the influence of the Scottish Greens in government.
With the Scottish Child Payment being doubled from the new financial year and free bus travel for everyone under 22 coming in January, the latest spending plans will also see £1.4bn invested in improving Scotland’s railways and over £300m on buses, including a new fund to develop local bus companies.
There will be a record £150m investment in cycling, wheeling and walking and £360m for energy efficiency and renewable heat as part of the Scottish Greens zero carbon buildings strategy.
The first allocation of Just Transition funding for the North East and Moray will see investment in alternative jobs for oil and gas workers.
A record £53m will also be invested to protect and restore nature.
As well as over a billion for social care and integration, this budget delivers record funding for mental health.
It also sees the biggest increase in funding to support teacher recruitment since 2007, with £145.5 million for teachers and classroom assistants, enough to employ around 2,500 teachers and 500 support staff.
Commenting, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “The Scottish Greens in Government are working for Scotland. This budget delivers progress on key Green policies to tackle the climate emergency and end child poverty, including investing £2 billion to tackle the climate emergency and doubling the Scottish Child Payment, giving £20 a week to over 400,000 children and their families.
“It’s clear the pandemic continues to pile pressure on budgets, inflation and the NHS. That’s why a just transition and a green recovery from the pandemic are needed if we are to build a fairer, greener future than leaves no-one behind. This budget is our first step towards that.”