More Scottish council cuts will have '˜severe consequences'

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) has said that any more cuts to local government funding will result in 'severe consequences' for jobs across the country.
Cosla president and Councillor David ONeill made the warning. Picture: ContributedCosla president and Councillor David ONeill made the warning. Picture: Contributed
Cosla president and Councillor David ONeill made the warning. Picture: Contributed

Speaking in advance of the Scottish Government laying out its spending plans for next year, Cosla president and Councillor David O’Neill said that certain “political choices” which lead to job cuts would have a “detrimental” impact on local economies and communities.

In November, a forecast by the Accounts Commission predicted that Scotland’s councils could be facing a shortfall of more than £550 million in just two years’ time.

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Mr O’Neill said: “There were 7,000 job losses arising from the £350 million cut to Scottish councils last year.

“A further reduction in budget of similar proportions, on an already reduced base, will have even more severe consequences for job losses in councils and have a wider knock on effect for jobs within communities. The Scottish Government needs to remember that in many areas the council is the largest employer and therefore a cut in council jobs has a devastating knock on effect for people and local economies.

“Any further reductions in funding for councils, combined with an expectation that statutory services such as education and social care are maintained, can only mean a disproportionate reduction in discretionary services such as economic development.

In response to the comments, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Audit Scotland last week published their independent report into council finances and found that local government had experienced the same reduction in funding as was imposed on the Scottish Government by Westminster.

“It is therefore clear that local government has been treated very fairly despite the cuts to the Scottish Budget from the UK Government,” adding that ‘the Finance Secretary will publish the Scottish Draft Budget later this month.’