The Scottish Greens will work with ministers on the budget if they are prepared to “make different choices” – with the party hinting that taxes should be extended and road-building projects dropped.
The Scottish Government is facing a potential problem in passing its tax and spending plans after the breakdown of the Bute House Agreement with the Greens earlier this year.
First Minister John Swinney’s administration subsequently angered the Greens by moving away from policies they favoured such as the pilot ending peak rail fares.
The Greens will use a debate in Holyrood this week to push the Scottish Government ahead of the draft budget being published on December 4, as well as stress there is more the Scottish Parliament can do to tackle the dire situation in the public finances.
Countering the Scottish Government’s claim to have no choice but to reintroduce peak rail fares and scrap plans for free school meals for older primary pupils, the party pointed to “tax breaks for big businesses and wealthy landowners”, and “climate-wrecking road expansion projects”.
“Even with the limited powers of devolution we must do everything we can to protect people and planet.”
He added: “We are ready to co-operate again, if the SNP will join us in taking the bold decisions needed to tackle child poverty and the climate crisis.
“Pointing to the good work done before and blaming Westminster for the current mess, however true, just won’t cut it.
“We have shown how much good the Scottish Parliament can do when it makes brave choices.
“Just look at the impact of Green policies like free bus travel for young people or scrapping all school meal debt.
“And, yes, we asked those on higher incomes and second home owners to pay a bit more, allowing us to do this despite savage budget cuts at Westminster.
“In the last few months, the SNP has chosen to reintroduce peak rail fares previously removed by the Greens, cut funding for nature projects and drop the commitment to free school meals for all P6 and P7 pupils.
“They claimed to have no choice, but that’s just not true. Millions of pounds a year still goes towards tax breaks for big businesses and wealthy landowners, and to climate-wrecking road expansion projects.
“If the Government are prepared to make different choices, ones which better protect people and planet, then the Greens are ready to work with them on a budget which builds the fairer, greener Scotland we know is still possible.”
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Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “The Scottish Government is focused on eradicating child poverty, building prosperity, improving our public services and protecting the planet – however, it continues to face the most challenging financial situation since devolution.
“Difficult choices are having to be made to deliver sustainable finances and we are calling on the UK Government in its autumn budget to deliver more funding for public services, infrastructure and measures to eradicate child poverty.
“Ministers are engaging with all parties in the parliament ahead of the Budget and will give all constructive suggestions careful consideration.”
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