SNP Climbdown On Draft Budget Shows Greens Leading The Change
Following tonight’s vote at Holyrood, in which SNP MSPs voted to accept Green changes to the Scottish Budget on public services, workers’ pay and low-carbon infrastructure, Green MSP Patrick Harvie said:
"Tonight’s climbdown by the SNP shows they accept that their draft budget cannot command support in Parliament, and they have accepted our view that changes are needed to protect public services, improve frontline workers’ pay and invest in low-carbon capital projects.
“Labour brought today’s debate to highlight concerns about the draft budget but failed to offer their own solutions. With only two weeks before the Stage 1 vote on the budget, it shows they are not serious about improving the budget and protecting public services. They are letting communities down with their posturing.
“Greens are clearly leading the change in Scottish politics. We’ve already shifted the debate on tax to show that revenue can be raised while protecting low and middle earners and we have worked with SPICe to explore improvements to the government's income tax proposals, as a way of showing how to close the gap on council funding and fair pay.
“Scottish Ministers’ acknowledgement of our priorities is welcome and it’s over to them to confirm that they will agree to our proposed changes within the next two weeks if they want Green support for the budget itself.”