THE Scottish Greens have said they cannot back the SNP’s proposed Budget as things stand.
Shona Robison announced a range of measures in a speech to Holyrood on Wednesday afternoon, including plans to mitigate the two-child cap.
The Scottish Greens have previously outlined their demands to support the Budget, including the universal rollout of free school meals for primary six and seven pupils.
Robison (above) did confirm in the Budget that free school meals will be extended to these pupils for “low-income families”.
However, Scottish Greens finance spokesperson Ross Greer said: “This Budget fails to deliver on Green proposals like expanding free school meals for P6 and P7 or a price cap on bus fares.
“It slashes funding for core local services like schools and for key climate projects like the Nature Restoration Fund.
“The Government has agreed to more modest Green proposals like free ferry travel for young islanders, free bus travel for asylum seekers and higher tax on the purchase of holiday homes, but these measures are not nearly enough to make up for the cuts elsewhere.
“Big changes will be needed if they expect the Scottish Greens’ support.”
Robison pledged £90 million to protect, maintain and increase Scotland’s woodlands and peatlands.
She also said it would triple its investment in offshore wind to £150m.
Greer (below) added: “Green MSPs were proud to secure the expansion of universal free school meals to P4 and P5 a few years ago.
“We urged the Scottish Government to use this Budget to complete the rollout, delivering free lunches to the many P6 and P7 children who need them.
“Sadly, they have not done that.”
Greer continued to say the Budget “does not solve the challenges faced by people and planet” and that although there were some “positive features, it cuts vital public services at a time when they are needed more than ever”.
“We are prepared to work with the SNP to make the big improvements the Budget needs,” he said.
“Scotland’s communities and environment needs more from their Government than we have seen today.”
Elsewhere, Alba’s Holyrood leader Ash Regan (above) welcomed the Budget as a “step in the right direction” in order to secure her support.
In particular, the party welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Government will work to mitigate the two-child cap.
However, she did express concerns over the lack of universal free school meals for P6 and P7 pupils as well as the potential for council tax hikes.
She said: "Although today’s announcement for more free breakfast clubs in primary schools across Scotland is welcome, I look forward to more detail on the proposal and will continue to lobby for funding for the full roll out of universal entitlement to free school meals.
"This will be a step in the right direction towards securing my vote to back the Budget.
"However, today’s announcement on ending the freeze to council tax, without any cap on rises to replace it, means that hard pressed Scots who are already under financial pressure could now face a super hike to their council tax bills next year.
"I look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that household budgets are protected as part of the final budget that will be voted on early next year.”
