Minister praised Nature Restoration Fund just days before its funds were seized

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today criticised the Scottish Government after it emerged that ministers praised the work of the Nature Restoration Fund, which is used to pay for projects such as tree planting and restoring waterways, just days before it was revealed that this year’s funding allocation is being redirected to fund wage settlements for local government.

Mr McArthur wrote to ministers asking about plans for a Natural Environment Bill containing statutory nature restoration targets.

In a response dated 21st August 2024, Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin noted “Restoring Scotland's natural environment is key to addressing the twin crises of nature loss and climate change… That is why we have pledged £250 million to restore damaged peatlands and committed nearly £40 million since 2021 through our Nature Restoration Fund to deliver the nature restoration we need.”

However, on 25th August it was revealed Scottish Ministers had written to councils telling them to divert the current year’s allocations (£5m) from the Nature Restoration Fund to settle pay deals.

Climate emergency spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

“With one breath SNP ministers praise this scheme as doing important work to tackle the loss of native species and with the next they announced that the fund is being raided for other purposes.

“No matter how much they try to spin it, SNP ministers are taking these harmful decisions because they have made a habit of making costly blunders.

"Scotland is already one of the most nature-depleted nations in the world. Chopping the budget in the middle of a nature emergency is another short-sighted move that will hold Scotland back.

“We need to protect and restore Scotland’s beautiful natural environment, planting more trees and stopping sewage dumping in our rivers.”