THE Scottish Greens have laid out two conditions which they say will allow them to back the SNP Government’s Budget.
MSP Ross Greer told The Sunday National that if the SNP committed to the rollout of free school meals to all P6 and P7 pupils and trialled a £2 cap on bus fares, then the Green group would support its spending plans.
The Scottish Budget, which will be John Swinney’s first as First Minister, is due to be delivered on Wednesday, December 4.
Greer said it was a “chance to show the kind of Scotland he wants to build”.
“Scotland is one of the richest countries in the history of our planet. It's shocking and entirely avoidable that so many children still live in poverty and come to school hungry.
“In September, the SNP dropped our previous shared commitment to expand free school meals to P6 and P7. We want to see that decision reversed and a commitment in the Budget to deliver those meals.”
On bus fares, he said: “To protect the planet and help families with the cost of living, we need to make buses more affordable. That is why we have proposed trialling a £2 bus fare cap for services across Scotland from next year.”
Greer added: “These are the kind of bold, ambitious and practical changes that the First Minister could make to undo the damage being inflicted by Westminster and build a fairer, greener Scotland.
“If he takes these steps on Wednesday, the Scottish Greens will work with him to agree a final Budget proposal early in the new year.”
Previously, the Greens have ruled out backing an SNP Government Budget that includes any cuts to the “modest” spending on independence.
Swinney’s minority administration needs the support of at least one opposition party to get its plans passed through Holyrood, and the Greens look like the most likely option.
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
