Nature funding to be diverted to pay for council wage rises

Environmental groups have accused the Scottish government of selling the country short by asking councils to divert £5 million earmarked for restoring nature to pay for above-inflation public sector wage rises.
The nature restoration fund is used to pay for local projects to tackle deteriorating natural sites, ranging from tree planting to restoring waterways, and has a budget this year of £29 million.
Many species in Scotland are estimated to be under threat of extinction because of long-term habitat loss and ministers have said restoring biodiversity is “crucial” in tackling the climate crisis.
But the BBC reports that ministers have written to councils telling them to divert £5 million to settle council staff pay deals.
Last week, Shona Robison, the finance secretary, said that financial constraints were “unavoidable” because of the “spending challenges” being faced.
Environmental charities responded angrily. Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said: “It’s extremely frustrating when the small amounts of money which are allocated to climate and nature action come under further pressure. Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and it’s really important that we take steps now to begin to reverse that.
“Many of the actions that you can take to protect nature also deliver benefits for the public, whether by cutting carbon, cleaner air or helping to reduce flooding. So pulling money from this area is just storing up problems for the future.”
Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “This is desperately bad news. Recently published analysis has shown that funding for nature needs to increase, not be cut.
“The nature restoration fund has been critical in helping to deliver projects right across rural and urban Scotland, generating employment and bringing benefits to people, economy, biodiversity and nature.”
Repeated surveys had shown that the Scottish public wanted nature restoration to be given more prominence in government decision-making, she added. “Yet they are once again being sold short and having to settle for choices which put nature restoration low on the list of priorities.”
The Scottish Greens said the fund, worth £65 million in total, was secured while they were in coalition with the SNP and called on Robison to maintain it.
Mark Ruskell, a Green MSP, said: “The nature restoration fund is supporting vital projects all across our country, from building natural flood protections to safeguarding local species, restoring our waterways and improving our parks.
“Investing in local services and our local environment should not be in opposition, they go together.”
Councils are struggling to fund above-inflation pay deals. Staff in 26 of Scotland’s 32 council areas had planned to walk out this month after rejecting two previous wage increases proposed by Cosla, the local government association, but strike action has now been suspended.
The proposed deal would give a 3.6 per cent increase for all grades of staff.
A Scottish government spokesman said Robison had been clear about the “painful choices” that lie ahead.
The spokesman said: “Protecting and restoring our natural environment is key to addressing the twin crises of nature loss and climate change, and nearly £40 million has already been distributed through the nature restoration fund since 2021.
“While capital funding of £5 million from this year’s nature restoration fund has been redirected to fund the pay offer, it will be replaced in future years.
“We know the vital role local government employees play in delivering local services which are valued by the public. This pay offer demonstrates just how much we value these workers too.”