Free school meals for all children as Forbes agrees Budget deal with Greens
THE rollout of free school meals to all primary children and an “enhanced” public-sector pay offer will form part of this year’s Budget plans after the SNP secured deals with opposition parties.
The Greens and Liberal Democrats both confirmed they would back the Scottish Government’s tax and spending plans.
The move means the minority SNP Government will have a comfortable majority to steer the legislation through Holyrood during its final stages this week.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said it “puts us on the path to a fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland”.
The Budget deal with the Greens, who have now backed the SNP’S spending plans for five consecutive years, includes the expansion of free bus travel to all under-22s.
It will also see an “enhanced public-sector pay deal”, new “pandemic support payments” for low-income households and additional funding to support environmental, active travel and energy efficiency initiatives.
Elsewhere, it includes the phased introduction of free school meals to all primary school children by August 2022 and it will see an £800 pay rise for public-sector workers earning up to £25,000, and a two per cent increase for those earning more than £25,000 up to £40,000.
Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said his party had been clear
“that the Scottish Budget needed to do more to tackle rising poverty and ensure a green recovery from the pandemic”.
He added: “I’m delighted that once again our constructive approach has delivered real results for the people who need it most.”
Meanwhile, the Libdems secured an extra £120 million for mental health services, an additional £60m to help education “bounce back” with smaller class sizes and a further £20m for in-class support.
An extra £15m was also secured for the north-east to pay for skills and training in a region particularly under pressure given its reliance on fossil fuel industries, alongside “fair funding” for ferries in Orkney and Shetland.
Libdem leader Willie Rennie said: “We think that people expect parties to work together in the middle of a pandemic. Our focus has been to put recovery first. We have highlighted the need for business support, an education bounce back plan, and better mental health services, given the pressure we know that the virus crisis has put on people.”
Ms Forbes previously confirmed the Budget would extend 100% rates relief for the retail, hospitality, leisure, aviation and newspaper sectors for a further 12 months due to the impact of the pandemic.
Money has also been allocated for a council tax freeze, alongside £16 billion for the NHS. Income tax rates remain unchanged.
Ms Forbes said: “I have sought to engage constructively to deliver a budget that meets the needs of the nation. I would like to thank all parties for the positive way they have participated in this process.”