Key Points
- Green councillors in Glasgow have reached a budget deal with SNP councillors, making Glasgow City Council the first in Scotland to introduce universal free school meals for all primary-aged children.
- The deal positions Glasgow as the first local authority in Scotland to begin work on implementing rent controls.
- The agreement responds to the city’s housing emergency by doubling Council Tax premiums on empty homes.
- Measures include action to improve Glasgow’s tenements.
- The budget maintains Scotland’s best childcare offer, with funded hours available immediately after a child’s third birthday.
- £5.5 million is committed to protect social work services, preventing potential cuts to care home beds and drug rehab services.
- The deal was enabled by Green pressure on the Scottish Government, resulting in a one-year agreement where the Government covers half the borrowing costs for the city’s £56 million homelessness pressure.
- Greens highlight that homelessness costs could rise to over £90 million in the next two years, urging national action.
- Green group Co-leader Jon Molyneux emphasised the deal’s focus on child poverty, housing crisis, rent controls, empty homes penalties, free school meals, childcare, and vulnerable services protection, while minimising council tax rises.
- Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, praised the councillors’ efforts amid difficult circumstances, criticising UK Government decisions under Keir Starmer for worsening homelessness, and calling SNP Scottish Government support a half-measure needing more powers from Holyrood.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) February 23, 2026 – Green councillors in Glasgow have struck a landmark budget deal with their SNP counterparts, positioning the city as a pioneer in Scotland by introducing universal free school meals for all primary-aged children and initiating work on rent controls, as detailed in official announcements from the Scottish Greens.
What Has the Budget Deal Achieved?
The agreement marks a significant step forward in addressing Glasgow’s pressing social challenges. Glasgow City Council will become the first in Scotland to provide free school meals to every primary-aged child, a move aimed at tackling child poverty directly. This groundbreaking policy, alongside the commitment to begin implementing rent controls, responds to the city’s housing emergency.
As reported in the Scottish Greens’ press release, the deal doubles Council Tax premiums on homes left sitting empty, targeting speculative vacancies that exacerbate the housing shortage. It also includes specific actions to improve the condition of Glasgow’s iconic tenements, which house a substantial portion of the city’s residents.
The budget safeguards the best childcare offer in Scotland, ensuring funded hours are accessible immediately following a child’s third birthday. Furthermore, it allocates £5.5 million to the Health and Social Care Partnership, protecting vital services such as care home beds and drug rehabilitation programmes that faced potential closure.
How Was the Deal Made Possible?
Green pressure on the Scottish Government played a pivotal role in securing the necessary financial support. The city faced a £56 million shortfall due to soaring homelessness costs, prompting Greens to advocate for national intervention. This resulted in a one-year deal where the Scottish Government will fund half the borrowing costs required to bridge the gap.
However, Green leaders stress that this is merely a temporary solution. Forecasts indicate homelessness expenses could surge beyond £90 million over the next two years, underscoring the need for sustained national action. The agreement leverages local powers to confront immediate crises while calling for broader governmental collaboration.
What Are Green Leaders Saying?
Green group Co-leader Jon Molyneux provided a comprehensive overview of the budget’s context and achievements. As reported by the Scottish Greens, Jon Molyneux stated:
“The background to this budget was soaring homelessness costs and it’s vital that this is now being recognised as a national priority thanks to Green pressure. It’s clear though this needs more than a one year fix and both national governments must work with us on this.”
Jon Molyneux continued:
“The budget deal agreed by Green councillors uses the powers we do have locally to respond to our city’s biggest challenges – child poverty and the housing crisis. That includes starting work on rent controls to protect Glasgow’s tenants and doubling the penalty charges on those who leave homes sitting empty or hardly used. We will also make Glasgow the first area in Scotland to deliver free school meals for every primary-aged child, and we’ll guarantee the best childcare offer in Scotland.”
He added:
“An extra £5.5m for the Health and Social Care Partnership will also protect services for the most vulnerable. These have been red lines in our negotiations and we’re pleased to have delivered them whilst keeping council tax increases to a minimum.”
Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, offered further insight into the political dynamics at play. As per the Scottish Greens’ coverage, Patrick Harvie said:
“Glasgow’s Green councillors have worked hard to protect services in Glasgow, in extremely difficult circumstances. Keir Starmer’s government has made incredibly harmful decisions which have increased homelessness and left our city council having to foot the bill.”
Patrick Harvie elaborated:
“We’ve pressured the SNP Scottish Government to give councils the power and money they need, but the truth is what they’ve offered is a half measure. If Glasgow – and every other council in Scotland – is going to be able to protect local services in the years ahead, they urgently need more powers from Holyrood, and Green MSPs will be relentless in working to achieve that.”
Why Is This a National Priority?
The deal’s success is attributed to the collaborative efforts of Green MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, who laid the groundwork for these local advancements. Both the free school meals initiative and rent controls represent pioneering policies that could set a precedent for other Scottish councils.
Homelessness remains a critical issue, with Greens arguing it demands more than short-term fixes. The one-year governmental support alleviates immediate pressure but highlights systemic failures, including those linked to UK-wide policy decisions under the Starmer administration.
Child poverty alleviation through universal free meals addresses a core local challenge, potentially influencing national education and welfare strategies. Similarly, rent controls aim to stabilise the private rental market, protecting tenants amid rising costs.
What Challenges Persist?
Despite these gains, fiscal constraints loom large. Council tax increases have been kept to a minimum, but ongoing homelessness pressures threaten future budgets. The £5.5 million infusion for social care is a defensive measure, safeguarding services rather than expanding them.
Tenement improvements signal investment in housing stock, yet the scale of Glasgow’s housing emergency requires accelerated action. Empty homes penalties incentivise utilisation but enforcement will be key to their effectiveness.
How Does This Fit Broader Green Priorities?
This budget exemplifies Green influence in local governance, blending progressive social policies with pragmatic fiscal management. Free school meals and childcare expansions prioritise early years support, aligning with anti-poverty agendas.
Rent controls and empty homes taxes tackle housing inequity head-on, responding to tenant vulnerabilities. Patrick Harvie’s critique of both Westminster and Holyrood underscores the party’s push for devolved powers, positioning Greens as relentless advocates for local autonomy.
What’s Next for Glasgow?
Implementation timelines will be crucial, with work on rent controls set to commence promptly. Monitoring homelessness trends and council tax impacts will gauge the deal’s longevity.
Green councillors, led by figures like Jon Molyneux, vow to sustain pressure on national governments. As Glasgow leads on these fronts, other Scottish authorities may follow, potentially reshaping welfare and housing policy nationwide.
