Question reference: S6W-05631
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 13 January 2022
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Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 January 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what date it made the decision to reduce SEPA's budget from £43.4 million to £41.4 million in its draft Budget; what aspects of SEPA's operations it anticipates may not proceed as a result of this reduction; what its position is on whether SEPA will still be able to deliver all operations and services that it is required to following this budget reduction, and what the evidential basis is for its position.
Answer
SEPA’s draft budget allocation for 2022-23 is £41.406 million. This year’s budget settlement represents the best possible outcome against the backdrop of significant pressures on public finances, including a 10% reduction in cash terms compared with 2021-22, in Scottish Government’s capital budget, and the level of resources required to deliver statutory functions and agreed Ministerial environmental priorities across 2022-23. The Scottish Government are in dialogue with SEPA on the specific priorities to be reflected in their 2022-23 Operational Plan ,which is due to be published April 2022. The Plan will include work such as developing regulation for the Deposit Return Scheme and Single Use Plastics. Delivery of Scotland’s River Basin Management Plan will continue to be a core priority as will their Flood Forecasting and Warning Service.