Meeting of the Parliament 27 February 2025
That work is done with COSLA. However, if the member wants to address specifics, I am happy to pick those up separately with him.
There remains a further £155 million of revenue funding that will be notified to local authorities once the distribution has been discussed and agreed with COSLA. That, alongside the £144 million for employer national insurance contributions, will be included for approval in the 2026 order. Specific revenue funding, amounting to more than £271 million, is paid directly by the relevant policy areas under separate legislation. The 2025 order also seeks approval for more than £618 million of changes to funding allocations for 2024-25. The full list of changes can be found in the report to the 2025 order.
The Government recognises the financial challenges that local authorities across Scotland—and indeed, the whole public sector—are facing. The fiscal constraints that we share emphasise the need to focus urgently on improving the delivery of public services, designed around the needs and interests of the people and communities of Scotland. We must also continue to press the UK Government for additional funding for our shared priorities and pressures, including full funding for the changes in employer national insurance contributions.
The Budget (Scotland) (No 4) Bill, which Parliament passed on Tuesday, ensured that total funding from the Scottish Government to local government next year will increase in cash terms and real terms. The order confirms the distribution to individual councils, and the proposals reflect the crucial role that local authorities and their employees continue to play in our communities.
I move,
That the Parliament agrees that the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2025 [draft] be approved.
15:05