Budget must cut cost-of-living and protect environment to win Green support
Today’s Scottish Government budget must cut the cost-of-living and protect our environment, says Scottish Green Co-Leader Gillian Mackay.
Green MSPs have set out a range of priorities, including the expansion of free bus travel for everyone under 30 to support commuters and reduce pollution, expanding free school meals to thousands more pupils and ensuring free childcare hours are available to all families as soon as a child turns three.
The party has also proposed further revenue raising measures such as a ‘Mansion Tax’ on the most expensive properties and increased taxes on casinos and betting shops to fund addiction services and the NHS.
Gillian said:
“The test of this budget will be what it does to cut the cost of living for people and families.
“We need urgent action to tackle child poverty, including the further expansion of free school meals to ensure no child is too hungry to learn.
“Childcare is one of the biggest costs facing young families. We need to ensure that all parents can access free childcare from when their child turns three, ending the current postcode lottery and saving some families thousands of pounds.
“Too many people in their 20s are trapped in a cycle of ever-rising costs and insecure work, with far too many struggling to cover their rent and bills every month.
“In previous budgets the Scottish Greens secured free bus travel for everyone under 22. By extending this to everyone under 30 we can support young workers.
“Lowering the cost of buses is a win-win for people and planet. That’s why the Scottish Greens are pushing for more people to get a free bus pass as soon as possible.
“We will continue to negotiate in good faith rather than playing Labour’s cowardly games and walking away.
"If the First Minister is prepared to be bold, the Scottish Greens will work with him to deliver a budget to protect our climate and communities.”