Tackling child poverty head-on is priority for Scottish Budget
Protecting the poorest and the planet from the ravages of Tory wreckanomics is the absolute priority of this Budget, said Scottish Greens Finance spokesperson Ross Greer MSP.
He said the Scottish Government’s decision to increase social security benefits, expand free school meals and put hundreds of millions into tackling fuel poverty was proof of that.
Mr Greer said:
“It is outrageous that across the UK, one of the richest countries in the history of this planet, there are still people and families going hungry, freezing and desperately wondering how they can escape from the Tory-driven cost of living crisis.
“This has been the hardest and most challenging budget that the Scottish Government has ever faced. But the Scottish Greens and our partners in government have made the choice to offer as much support as possible to those who need it the most, especially children.
“That is why we are increasing social security benefits, funding the expansion of free school meals and putting hundreds of millions of pounds into programmes which help people heat their homes and reduce their fuel bills.
“This comes on top of support already delivered by the Scottish Greens, such as the free bus travel scheme we introduced for young people earlier this year. The contrast could not be greater between the cruelty of the UK government and the fairer, greener Scotland which we are working to build."