The SNP government must now protect and restore nature budgets after getting a £3.4billion uplift from Rachel Reeves, green groups say.
Holyrood ministers were criticised earlier this year after £5million of cash allocated to councils for nature restoration and flood prevention was diverted to fund pay settlements.
The in-year cut followed other cuts to environmental spending, including significant cuts to cash for tree-planting and nature funding for farmers.Finance Secretary Shona Robison also announced the £500million ScotWind funding pot accrued from leasing deals for offshore wind would be plundered for day-to-day spending.
That cash was meant for green policies and investment. Funding for active travel like cycling and walking was also slashed by Robison.Deborah Long, Chief Officer at Scottish Environment LINK, said: “Scotland loves nature, and people expect government to act to protect the environment around them.
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk