IN a move that repeats their successful tactics of last year, Scotland’s Green MSPs are warning the Scottish Government that they cannot support a Budget that means cuts in local council services.
During last year’s process, the group of Greens succeeded in getting SNP ministers to cancel proposed cuts of £160 million to local councils after which they supported the Budget in Parliament.
With their support probably necessary for the Budget to be passed again this time around, the Greens this year are going all out to focus on council services which face cuts across Scotland.
Andy Wightman MSP, local government spokesperson for the party, said: “Last year’s Green budget deal stopped the cuts to councils’ overall funding package but we must now start to see a reversal of the reductions previously suffered. A Budget that contains a return to cuts for councils will be unacceptable, and the Finance Secretary has known since last year that this is unfinished business.
“With inflation and growing demand, investment in council services is essential if we are to support our communities and tackle inequalities. Local councils provide vital services ranging from education and social care to welfare advice and libraries. Councils play a key role in the health of our communities by maintaining sports facilities and parks, and building walking and cycling infrastructure.
“Councils have shed 15,000 jobs over the last five years, with remaining workers seeing their pay eroded and service users seeing charges increase. More than half of what councils get from the Scottish Government is ring-fenced for national priorities; if the Scottish Government won’t provide councils with the funding they need, they must give them the power to raise more money themselves.”
Councillor Gavin Corbett, finance spokesperson for the Greens on Edinburgh City Council, said: “Edinburgh is looking at £20m of cuts next year and £150m over the next five years. At that level, cuts penetrate to every part of services: schools, care for older people, parks and homelessness services, to name only a few.
“As well as a fair settlement from the Scottish Government now, councils also need powers over their own income – on tax, on business rates and on other levies – so that they can make choices to invest in services.”
Councillor Allan Young, finance spokesperson for the Greens on Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow is facing cuts of around £50m which will have a massive impact across the city.
“We need to use all the powers at our disposal to give councils the vital financial assistance they need to service our schools properly and tackle the homelessness crisis in the city.”
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