Scotlands Zero Waste budget to rise despite cuts

The Scottish Government has pledged to increase the country's Zero Waste budget by £2 million next year despite severe public spending cuts.

 

We have protected spending in areas that will help us meet our ambitious climate change targets and develop a low carbon economy

 
Richard Lochhead, Scottish environment secretary 

A draft Budget statement put out by finance secretary John Swinney today (November 17) revealed that spending is this area will reach £26.4 million in 2011/12 in addition to investment by local government. While it is unclear what this means in real terms, it shows that expenditure in this area has been protected.

Waste expenditure is a priority because the government believes that tackling climate change effectively will give the country a competitive advantage.

The country also lacks the range of waste treatment and recycling infrastructure currently in place in some other parts of the UK and is hoping to realise the ambitions set out in its Zero Waste Plan, launched in June (see letsrecycle.com story).

Commenting on the draft Budget, Richard Lochhead, cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment, said: “In the face of the most severe public spending cuts in a generation, imposed on Scotland by Westminster, we have worked hard to deliver a budget that not only ensures Scotland's rural areas are supported through these tough economic times, but one that also protects our outstanding environment.

“Funds that are critical to economic recovery and sustainable growth have been prioritised, and we have made savings where possible through efficiency savings and reduced spending on administration.

“We have protected spending in areas that will help us meet our ambitious climate change targets and develop a low carbon economy, for example by continuing the hugely successful Climate Challenge Fund and increasing spend our ambitious Zero Waste agenda.”

In the Budget document, the Scottish Government says it is essential that it maintains the momentum towards becoming a Zero Waste society. It also says that by supporting food waste collections and anaerobic digestion it will be able to generate sustainable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The budget for Zero Waste includes support for a number of programmes including work to develop markets for recyclate use, waste prevention and minimisation, reuse and recycling awareness, help community recycling groups and support for local authorities to achieve waste targets in 2011 and beyond. The budget also funds the anti-litter organisation Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Cuts

Mr Lochhead acknowledged that in seeking to meet our priorities ministers did have to make real cuts to “things we would have liked to retain in full” – such as agriculture and rural spending.
In 2011-12 the overall Rural Affairs and Environment budget is £539.4 million, representing a year-on-year cut in cash terms on resource budgets of £35 million and on capital of £20 million.

Other key measures in the draft Budget include:

• An agreement with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to deliver a further council tax freeze, maintain police numbers and key education and social care commitments
• Introducing a pay freeze for public sector workers, with staff earning less than £21,000 receiving a minimum annual pay increase of £250, and bear down on the cost of the pay bill for the highest paid. This will also suspend all access to bonuses next year.
• Public bodies protecting the environment and natural heritage, such as SEPA, will need to become leaner and more efficient. SEPA will continue to deliver its regulatory responsibilities. In 2011-12, these bodies- including SEPA, SNH and the National Park Authorities will altogether receive £112.5 million.