Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 18 March 2021
No, I do not realise that—but I thank Ivan McKee for letting me know.
The SNP Government’s total budget has risen to £44.1 billion in 2021-22. In comparison, the total budget for local government is rising to £11.6 billion. Furthermore, the amount of money that the Government gives to local authorities has fallen by about £270 million in real terms since 2013-14. That is despite the SNP Government’s budget from the UK Government increasing by more than £1 billion during the same period. Local councils have been betrayed. The SNP has voted against our plans to create a Barnett-style formula to ensure that Scotland’s councils get a fair share of the Scottish Government’s budget each year, which would give them greater certainty and the ability to plan ahead.
As a result of the pandemic, Scotland’s councils are facing a serious budget shortfall. Despite the promise of some extra funding from the SNP, concerns around the settlement remain. The SNP has failed to heed the warnings of the Scottish Conservatives and COSLA, and, as such, has failed to produce a fair funding deal for cash-strapped councils across Scotland.
Despite those funding issues and the critical and challenging operating environment of the past year, key workers across all Scotland’s councils have continued to carry out their jobs. I put on record the gratitude of the Scottish Conservatives to local authority key workers, who have continued to carry out their work during these very challenging times.
It has been an honour to serve as an MSP during this session of Parliament and to give my last speech before I stand down. Thank you.