The SNP and Greens come to a budget deal for increased investment in school meals, public sector pay and the environment as talks continue with the Lib Dems
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Highland MSP Kate Forbes has managed to strike a deal with the Greens that will allow the passage of this year’s draft Scottish budget into law tomorrow.
This is Ms Forbes first full budget as Finance Secretary having taken over for Derek Mackay following his eleventh hour resignation last year.
Common ground was found over new initiatives on free school meals, public sector pay and the investment in the environment.
It will see the phased introduction of free school meals for all primary pupils, an enhanced public sector pay deal, new pandemic support payments.
There will also be additional funding to support environmental, active travel and energy efficiency initiatives as well as extending free bus travel to those under 22 years of age.
There could be further changes to come as talks are continuing with the Liberal Democrats.
The party is calling for increased spending on mental health, business support and education recovery.
The new initiatives will be funded mainly from the unallocated balance of funding from last week’s UK budget.
They include:
- Pandemic Support Payments of £130 to households receiving Council Tax Reduction and two payments of £100 to families of children qualifying for free school meals
- The phased introduction of free school meals to all primary school children by August 2022
- An £800 pay rise for public sector workers earning up to £25,000, and a two per cent increase for those earning over £25,000 up to £40,000.
- Extending free bus travel to under 22s
- £40 million to support the green recovery, comprising a further £15 million for active travel, £10 million for energy efficiency, £10 million for biodiversity and £5 million for agri-environmental measures
Ms Forbes said: “We have reached an agreement with the Scottish Greens and I am hopeful about the outcome of my continuing talks with the Liberal Democrats.
“Today, I can announce that we are able to go further in offering a fair and affordable pay settlement to the public sector workers to whom we owe so much through the pandemic, particularly the lowest paid.
“The budget already contains measures to help struggling families, but in this deal we are also announcing details of a £100 million programme of one-off pandemic support payments.
“And we commit to providing free school meals to every primary school pupil by August 2022, with expansion for P4s starting after this year’s summer holidays.
“A green recovery lies at the heart of the Scottish Government’s policies and today we are delivering significant new investments in energy efficiency and active travel, while providing additional funding to support biodiversity and make our agriculture more environmentally-friendly.
“And, as we rebuild from Covid, we will support our young people by extending our original commitment to concessionary travel for all under 19s to include everyone up to age 22, giving all 18-21 year olds free bus travel.”
