Councils say they're at breaking point after budget with job losses and cuts 'almost certain'
COSLA says Humza Yousaf's £140m Scottish Government funding won't cover tax freeze
Last updated 21st Dec 2023
Scotland's council leaders are warning the Budget will leave services at "breaking point", with "cuts in every community" and possible job losses across local authorities.
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) met on Thursday to discuss its response to the Scottish Government's spending plans, which offered £144 million in compensation for freezing council tax.
In a joint statement, COSLA leaders said this figure will not fully fund the council tax freeze - despite First Minister Humza Yousaf’s pledge that this would be the case.
COSLA has also disputed the way the Government has calculated its figures for local government funding.
Cuts in every community across Scotland
It's claimed the Budget is "not only leaving councils at real and significant financial risk for the coming year, but, as it stands, it will mean cuts in every community in Scotland and job losses across Scottish local government".
Deputy First Minister Shona Robison is pledging £13.2 billion to councils as she outlined the Budget to Holyrood on Tuesday, which included £144 million to fund a council tax freeze.
COSLA president Shona Morrison said: "COSLA's initial analysis shows a real-terms cut to our revenue and capital spending power, which will leave council services at breaking point, with some having to stop altogether.
"The Budget in its current form could result in service cuts, job losses and an inevitable shift to providing statutory services only.
"This means potentially losing libraries, leisure centres and all the things that improve our lives.
"COSLA’s initial analysis of the Budget is that the council tax freeze is not fully funded.
"Leaders from across Scotland agreed today that decisions on council tax can only be made by each full council, and it is for each individual council to determine their own level of council tax.
"With any sort of shortfall in core funding, the £144 million revenue offered for the freeze is immediately worth less."
Job losses
COSLA resources spokeswoman Katie Hagmann said: "As it stands, this is not a good Budget for our communities or the people who deliver our essential frontline services.
"This is a Budget which will mean job losses - real jobs that support families and deliver vital services that make a positive difference to people's lives.
"Sadly, the Budget as it stands leaves nothing for meaningful pay rises in 24/25 so we would call on the Scottish Government to look again, so that our workforce can get the pay rise they deserve next year."