The SNP government must now protect and restore nature budgets after getting a £3.4billion uplift from Rachel Reeves, green groups say.
Holyrood ministers were criticised earlier this year after £5million of cash allocated to councils for nature restoration and flood prevention was diverted to fund pay settlements. The in-year cut followed other cuts to environmental spending, including significant cuts to cash for tree-planting and nature funding for farmers.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison also announced the £500million ScotWind funding pot accrued from leasing deals for offshore wind would be plundered for day-to-day spending.
That cash was meant for green policies and investment. Funding for active travel like cycling and walking was also slashed by Robison.
Deborah Long, Chief Officer at Scottish Environment LINK, said: “Scotland loves nature, and people expect government to act to protect the environment around them. But government can’t tackle the climate and nature crises with shrinking budgets.
“After the UK budget we now have certainty that the Scottish Government can more than afford to protect environmental spending in real terms. The First Minister has been clear that protecting the environment is a priority for his government – that needs to be reflected when we see the Scottish budget next month.”
Jo Pike, Chief Executive at Scottish Wildlife Trust, added: “Direct spending on nature is tiny compared to its importance in our lives. Nature is our life support system, the foundation of our society and economy, and a vital part of tackling climate change.
“But nature is in decline and we urgently need more investment to help it recover. Key budgets have been squeezed in recent years and the reality is that every day we delay finding the investment, the more expensive it becomes to find solutions.
Asked about the funding cuts by Greens co-leader Lorna Slater in parliament today, First Minister John Swinney said in-year cuts were unlikely to be reversed.
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