Scottish Government announce agreement with Green Party

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group have agreed to work together over the next five years to build a green economic recovery from coronavirus, respond to the climate emergency and create a fairer country.

A shared draft policy programme - the Bute House Agreement - has been agreed, focusing on areas of mutual interest to improve the way Scotland is governed and create a stable platform to meet the challenges Scotland faces. It details collaboration on the climate emergency, economic recovery, child poverty, the natural environment, energy and the constitution.

It includes commitments to: hold a referendum on Scottish independence after the coronavirus pandemic has passed, within the current parliamentary session; increase investment in active travel and public transport; designate at least one new National Park by the end of this parliamentary session; invest at least £1.8 billion over this parliamentary session in energy efficiency and renewable heating; and implement an effective national system of rent controls, enhance tenants’ rights and deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.

Additionally, the draft co-operation agreement sets out the way in which the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party will work together. This will include the nomination of two Green MSPs to be Scottish Government Ministers.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government has reached a ground-breaking agreement with the Scottish Green Party that meets the challenges and opportunities of our time. The challenges we face have rarely been greater - the climate emergency, recovery from a global pandemic and an assault by the UK government on the powers of our Parliament.

“Today’s politics can too often feel small - polarised, divided and incapable of meeting the moment – and this agreement is intended to change that in Scotland. It is about doing politics and governance better to find the solutions needed to solve the problems confronting the world today.

“The spirit of co-operation and consensus-building is very much in keeping with the founding principles of our Scottish Parliament. We do not agree on everything but we are coming out of our comfort zones to focus on what we do agree on.

“The agreement delivers bold policy action on pressing issues. A commitment to more affordable housing, a better deal for tenants and action to tackle poverty and inequality. Steps to accelerate our transition to net zero - more support for active travel, transformation of home energy and a ten year transition fund for the North East of Scotland. A focus on green jobs and fair work - and a sustainable recovery from Covid. We also reaffirm in this Agreement our shared commitment to securing independence for Scotland, and to giving people the right to choose our country’s future through a referendum. It recognises that business as usual is not good enough – we need boldness, courage and a will to do things differently. That is what we offer.”