Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said his priority is to build Scotland’s future as he prepares to present his second Draft Budget to Parliament on Thursday. Councils across the country are braced for further cuts and it’s a ‘make or break’ Budget for local services.
The Scottish Government says ‘despite challenging times for Scotland’s economy, the 2018/19 budget will position Scotland to grasp the opportunities presented by a rapidly changing global economy and deliver the Scottish Government’s transformative, forward-looking Programme for Government, published by the First Minister in September 2017‘. Transformative and forward-looking? Local government leaders fear the worst.
Mr Mackay said unlocking economic potential in manufacturing, innovation, digital connectivity, infrastructure and housing, will be key to this budget and will drive forward the Scottish Government’s ambitious plans to build an economy that works for Scotland.
Speaking ahead of the 2018/19 Draft Budget, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: “The Programme for Government articulated the Scottish Government’s vision for a future-proofed, forward thinking Scottish economy. This budget will help realise that vision.
“As well as continuing to protect public services, the 2018/19 Budget will prioritise economic growth and innovation to enable Scotland to grasp the opportunities presented by a rapidly changing global economy.
“Our ambition to create an economy that works for Scotland will be driven by investment in infrastructure, capital, research and in our people.
“We are proud of our entrepreneurs and appreciate that the risks they take in order to innovate, require investment.
“This budget will meet those needs by delivering on key commitments to support research and development, to give Scottish companies a competitive edge in manufacturing processes through the establishment of the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland and to reform business rates.
“Fast internet connection is vital to the economic and social wellbeing of our rural communities, supporting businesses and improving lives of local people. That is why we will bring forward measures to build on our successful Digital Scotland programme in this year’s budget.
“We will also invest the vision of a low carbon future set out by the First Minister in our Programme for Government. We will also build on the progress we made last year in rolling out faster internet connection.
“The spending plans I present to the people of Scotland on the December 14th will be a budget that builds Scotland’s future.”
While the Finance Secretary is sending out a positive message ahead of his Budget statement to Holyrood, council leaders fear further cuts will decimate vital services already reeling from successive years of under-investment.
Local government umbrella organisation COSLA is seeking £545 million from the Scottish Government just to stand still (i.e. to deliver the same level of council services that are currently being delivered) but there has been speculation that councils could be facing further cuts of up to £300 million.
The level of ‘savings’ required may prove to be not be quite that severe, but it seems our community facilities – our schools, our community centres and our libraries – will be cut once again next year.
Last week COSLA joined the Scottish Government in signing up to a review of local governance arrangements. Let’s hope that senior councillors took the opportunity to have a quiet word in the government’s ear: the cuts have already gone far too far. It’s time to save our services.
The Finance Secretary has the power to raise taxes: will he bite the bullet?
24
0
20
