A budget for a fairer, greener Scotland
Commenting on today’s budget the Scottish Greens finance spokesperson Ross Greer MSP said: “This budget puts people and planet first. That’s despite the near-impossible financial situation created for us by Westminster’s economic mismanagement.
“Public services like our NHS will be better off to the tune of £1.5 billion in 2024 as a result of the progressive tax reforms secured by the Scottish Greens over recent years. Those reforms continue with the new £75,000+ income tax band announced today, recognising that the richest people in society should pay a bit more to keep essential services going during this difficult period.
“With an extra £1 billion pounds invested in social security we will continue the work which saw us lift 90,000 children out of poverty this year through policies like the £25 per week Scottish Child Payment and free bus travel for young people. Tackling child poverty will always be a top priority for Greens in Government.
“We will be judged for decades to come by the efforts we make right now to tackle the climate crisis. That’s why it is right that we are spending a record £4.7billion on climate and nature initiatives in Scotland. This money will create employment across the country, building on the good news earlier this week that jobs in our renewable energy sector have already grown from 27,000 to 41,000 in a single year.”
“Tough choices were inevitable for this budget, given the hand we were dealt by the abysmal UK Government. Despite the serious limitations of devolution we have delivered a budget which prioritises people and planet, building the fairer, greener Scotland which we were elected to deliver.”