THE SNP must “categorically rule out” cutting spending on independence in the upcoming Scottish budget, the Greens have said.
After the UK Government Budget was delivered at the end of October, parties at Holyrood have been holding talks trying to strike a deal to pass the devolved government’s budget, which will be presented in draft form on December 4.
First Minister John Swinney currently leads a minority government, so needs the support of at least one opposition party to get a budget passed.
Last week, Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton told The Herald that his party – which has four MSPs – would refuse to back any budget which included independence spending.
The Scotland in Union campaign group claimed that the SNP Government spent £3.44 million on independence between September 2021 and December 2023. The vast majority of this (£2.96m) was the salaries of staff in the Scottish Government constitutional futures division.
The Scottish Greens told The National that they took the exact opposite approach to Cole-Hamilton – and they would not support a budget from which this “modest sum” was cut.
Green MSP Ross Greer said: “The Scottish Greens have always encouraged other parties to take budget negotiations seriously. The LibDems have at least entered the discussion this year and although their priorities are different to our own, we think this important debate is better off with a diverse range of proposals on the table.
“However, we would be deeply concerned if a pro-independence government axes entirely the already incredibly modest sum spent on independence preparations.
“If the SNP make that choice, Green MSPs would find it impossible to support their budget.”
Greer went on: “With a Labour government at Westminster continuing with cruel Tory policies like the two child benefit cap, supplying arms to Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza and refusing closer relations with the EU, it is vital that the Scottish Government continues to build a detailed and inspiring case for independence.
“The SNP must categorically rule out this cut. Conceding on this point would not only rule out the Scottish Greens’ voting for their budget proposals, it would destroy the wider independence movement’s trust in the Scottish Government.
“The Yes movement can always rely on the Scottish Greens’ support.
“I hope that the SNP is able to quickly reassure us all that the government’s work towards our shared goal of an independent Scotland at the heart of the European Union will continue.”
Approached for comment, the SNP directed this paper to the Scottish Government.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Ministers are discussing the budget with all parties and the draft budget will be set out in the Scottish parliament on December 4.”
