COSLA: give us a break

It’s the blame game. Local government blames Holyrood for cuts to services. Holyrood blames Westminster. Westminster says it’s Holyrood’s fault – and so the cycle goes on. And on. And on. And while the various democratic structures pass the buck, communities continue to suffer – and, as ever, the poorest communities suffer most …

COSLA President Councillor David O’Neill said that Council Leaders had given COSLA a very clear message over the course of the last week that the Scottish Government have to treat local government fairly in tomorrow’s settlement announcement.

Councils are braced for cuts of an eye-watering £350 million – the same as last year’s 3.5 per cent.

Speaking before a special Leaders meeting in Edinburgh earlier this week COSLA President Councillor David O’Neill said: “Over the course of the last week, COSLA has undertaken a media campaign to show the services that Scotland’s councils deliver and to give a genuine warning around the damage a cut to our funding by Scottish Government later this week would do to these services.

“This information campaign covered vital council services such as Roads, Housing, Social Care and Education and flagged up that a cut of the magnitude of last year’s (£349 million) would have a disastrous impact on both communities and services.

“As we are seeing from the informative and excellent BBC1 documentary The Council – Scotland’s Councils are there for those that need us the most and budget cuts affect those people more than anyone. In many instances if the Council was not there to pick up the pieces – who else would be?”

Councillor O’Neill continued: “All too often when we talk of cuts to local government these are seen in the abstract.  The reality is that we are talking about real cuts to services and jobs.

“The simple truth is that a cut to local government means a cut in teaching assistants, a cut in levels of care for all our elderly relatives, cuts for the homeless as a freezing winter starts to bite, and cuts to gritting of the roads at a time of freezing temperatures when trains and the wider transport network is struggling to cope.

“The government cannot simply bat this away by claiming that they are treating local government ‘fairly’ and ‘providing enough cash’.

”The financial facts are straightforward on this matter. The Parliament’s own SPICe report on Local Government Funding said:

• In 2016/17 the revenue settlement for Local Government fell by 3.6% (£349m)
• In 2016/17 Local Government’s share of the Scottish budget fell from 32.3% to 30.6%
• Since 2013/14 the Local Government settlement has decreased by 1.9% whereas the Scottish Government’s has increased by 3.2%

“Make no mistake the Scottish Government has a political choice here – and with additional cash of £418m for next year there should be no cut to Local Government.”

Last month, the UK Government’s Autumn Statement saw the Scottish Government’s budget increase  by more than £800 million through to 2020-21.

It’s up to the Scottish government just how the increase in capital budget is spent in Scotland – Holyrood can take it’s own investment decisions as well as using its own tax, borrowing and welfare powers.

Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell said then: Today’s Autumn Statement will build an economy that works for everyone in Scotland and the rest of the UK. The rise in the National Living Wage means a well deserved pay rise for thousands of Scots, and the freeze in fuel duty will make it about £10 cheaper for drivers every time they fill up their car.

“Most significantly for Scotland is the £800 million of extra capital funding. This is as a result of the Chancellor’s decision to invest in infrastructure, but it is for the Scottish Government to step up now. If it is used properly by the Scottish Government, this will make a real difference to productivity, jobs and growth in Scotland.

The UK government’s decisions today mean a secure economy based on the broad shoulders of the UK, more funding and more powers for Scotland.”

Scotland’s Finance Minister Derek Mackay responded: “Today’s Autumn Statement is effectively tinkering around the edges and, while I welcome the focus on capital expenditure, there is still not enough to help hard pressed families.

“I will publish the Scottish Draft Budget next month that will support our economy, tackle inequality and provide high quality public services for all – underlining the very different approaches our two governments take.”

Tomorrow, Derek Mackay has his opportunity – will he ‘step up’ or pass the buck?