Budget: Greens secured vital action for people and planet
The Scottish Greens have secured cheaper bus travel, expanded free school meals and increased funding for schools, says the party’s finance spokesperson Ross Greer ahead of the final budget vote taking place today.
Through budget negotiations the Scottish Greens secured record investment in climate action, more money for local services including schools, social care and bin collections, free ferry travel for young islanders and free bus travel for people seeking asylum.
The party also secured the expansion of free school meals for thousands more S1-S3 pupils, more funding for nature restoration and a year-long trial where bus fares in one region of the country will be capped at £2. They also increased the tax paid when buying a second or holiday home, giving a boost to first-time home buyers and raising more money for public services.
Mr Greer said:
“More children will be fed and lifted out of poverty, buses will be cheaper and nature will be protected because of Scottish Green MSPs.
“We want to build a fairer and greener Scotland where no child is hungry at school and where public transport is always affordable and accessible. This budget is an important step in that journey.
“Scotland’s Green MSPs worked to deliver record funding for nature restoration, building on the huge progress we delivered when we were in government. That money will create more well-paid jobs across the country, especially in rural communities."
Mr Greer added:
“There is a stark contrast between what Green MSPs have achieved and the antics of Scottish Labour, who asked for nothing and got nothing.
“Other parties may have been happy to play silly games, but the Scottish Greens worked to support families in poverty, create jobs and protect the world around us.”