THE Scottish Greens have set two new conditions for their support ahead of the Budget announcement at Holyrood on Wednesday.
The party have asked for last year’s £4.7 billion climate funding to be maintained and for council budgets to increase, arguing that the increase in council budgets would ease pressure on schools and care services.
MSP Ross 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.
He added: “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 previous Budget, the Scottish Greens secured a historic £4.7 billion for climate and nature initiatives.
“This is the minimum investment that we need going forward, given how rapidly the crisis is getting worse,” said Greer.
The Greens have already set three conditions the SNP must meet in order to back their Budget on Wednesday.
They have called for spending on Scottish independence initiatives to remain the same, as well as the rollout of free school meals to all P6 and P7 pupils, and for a trial on a £2 cap on bus fares.
“Unfortunately, over the last six months the SNP has taken Scotland backwards,” Greer said.
“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.
“The Scottish Greens expect to see a fair deal for councils in this budget, including a real-terms increase to their funding.”
