Question reference: S6W-05632
- 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 Lorna Slater on 24 January 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) for what reason and (b) on what date it made the decision to reduce NatureScot's budget from £2.5 million to £1.8 million; what aspects of NatureScot's operations it anticipates may not proceed as a result of this reduction; what its position is on whether NatureScot 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
NatureScot’s budget allocation for 2022-23 is £49.561 million. This year’s budget settlement represents the best possible outcome against the backdrop of significant pressures on public finances 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 NatureScot on the specific priorities to be reflected in their forthcoming 2022-23 Operational Plan and next 5 year Corporate Plan. Both these documents are expected to be published in the first quarter of 2022.