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FMQs: Greens call on SNP to reverse cuts to climate budgets and free school meals

The Scottish Government must reverse the cuts it made to key budgets.

The First Minister must use any new funding from Westminster to reverse the damaging cuts that the Scottish Government has made to climate and nature budgets, says Scottish Green Co-leader Lorna Slater.

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Ms Slater underlined the importance of nature restoration and walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure in hitting Scotland’s climate targets.

In her first question, Ms Slater said:

“Yesterday the UK Government presented a budget that they claim will put £1.5bn back into the Scottish Government’s budget for this year. 

“This money should ensure that some of the most damaging cuts announced by the Scottish Government earlier this year should not now need to go ahead. 

“Spending on the climate and nature emergencies is essential to ensure our planet has a liveable future. Whilst the Scottish Greens were in government, climate and nature spending reached record levels.

“Will the First Minister commit to using the additional funding announced yesterday for this financial year to restore the funding cuts to the Nature Restoration Fund and active travel budgets, and does this mean that the Scottish Government no longer needs to use up all of the ScotWind funding which was supposed to be invested in our Green future?”

Following an answer from the First Minister, in which he did not commit to reversing the vast in-year cuts that have been made, Ms Slater called for the First Minister to halt his recent U-turn on rolling out universal free school meals for all primary school pupils.

Ms Slater said:

“That’s very disappointing to hear about this year, I’ll ask the First Minister about next year.

“One of our proudest moments for the Scottish Greens during our time in Government was rolling out free school meals for all children in primary 4 and 5, because we know it’s a simple and effective way to address the impacts of child poverty and make sure every child has the best chance at school.

“We were on course to expand that to every child in primary school by the end of this session of Parliament, until the Scottish Government put in an indefinite delay on the rollout in this year’s programme for Government. 

“Given the predicted £3.4bn due to be added to next year’s Scottish Budget, will the First Minister reinstate the promise to deliver free school meals for the remaining pupils in primary 6 and 7 by 2026, as endorsed by this Parliament just a few weeks ago?"

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