IT'S "absurd" to label UK Government funding of public services for COP26 as a "Union dividend", it has been said.

The Scottish Greens took aim at the idea a nearly £100 million UK Government fund is an “act of benevolence”, saying the money would have been made available no matter where COP26 was held.

As reported in The Scotsman, the UK Government signed off on £87 million in funding to public bodies for the climate conference – with the funds expected to approach £100m.

The costs will help cover increased demands to essential services such as police, NHS and transport bodies.

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Glasgow will welcome top world leaders, including American president Joe Biden, for the climate summit along with thousands of international delegates.

The Scottish Tories called the move the UK a “significant Union dividend”, adding that it is an example of how the Union can work for Scotland.

The majority of the money is set to go to the police, with £65.5m heading to Police Scotland, which will deploy an increased number of officers throughout the Glasgow November summit.

Transport Scotland is the next biggest beneficiary, receiving just under £10m while the ambulance service will see nearly £6m, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will receive more than £2m.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will also see more than £4m from the UK Government as high numbers of visitors to the city cause increased pressure to public services.

The Tories lauded the move as showing what the Union can achieve.

Scottish Tory finance spokesperson Liz Smith said: “The UK Government’s successful bid to host COP26 will be a major boost to our economy and will see action to tackle our climate emergency taken from the heart of Scotland’s biggest city.

“The strength of working together as part of our Union is clearly shown by the huge financial contribution the UK Government will be making to ensure it runs smoothly.

“Scotland’s public services are once again benefitting when it matters most from a significant union dividend.”

The National: Mark Ruskell called the Tory claim 'absurd'Mark Ruskell called the Tory claim 'absurd'

However, this assertion has been called into question by the Scottish Greens, who said the additional money would have been necessary for any city in the UK hosting a major conference.

Mark Ruskell MSP, Scottish Greens environment and climate spokesperson, told The National: “It is absurd for the Scottish Tories to claim this as an act of benevolence.

“This funding will cover services that are required as a result of Cop26 being held in Glasgow.

“The additional spending would be necessary wherever the UK Government had decided to host the summit.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “These arrangements ensure no financial detriment to Scotland’s public services as a result of work delivered to support COP26. All funding is for identified spending on the hosting of COP and there is no funding coming from these arrangements beyond COP expenditure.

“We are proud to welcome COP26 to Scotland, knowing how important the summit is to accelerating international action on the climate emergency.

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"We have been working very closely with the UK Government and partners, including Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland, to deliver a safe, secure and successful COP26 in November.

“We are delivering an ambitious programme of events to advance our climate agenda, strengthen collaboration and showcase the climate action taken across Scotland.

"We will use our position as co-chair of the Under 2 Coalition to help deliver ambitious outcomes at COP26, and demonstrate that global climate action requires action by governments at all levels.

"Final details of our programme will be announced shortly.”