Tag: Strong Councils Strong Communities campaign

COSLA: Local Services Cannot Take More Cuts

COSLA launches Budget Lobbying Campaign

Scotland’s councils have warned that vital local services are at risk without a fairer funding settlement, after making around £5 billion of savings since 2010-11 and facing a further £529 million funding gap in 2026-27.

Councils deliver the services people rely on every day, from educating more than 700,000 pupils, to supporting almost 98,000 people with care at home, maintaining 54,000 kilometres of roads, tackling homelessness and supporting vulnerable families.

With years of efficiencies and service redesign, councils say there is little left to cut. Spending on culture and leisure has already fallen by 26% in real terms since 2010-11, while corporate support spending has reduced by 25%. At the same time, demand for services and inflation continue to rise.

COSLA’s concerns are backed by several independent organisations.

The Accounts Commission has warned that council funding is failing to keep pace with rising costs and demand, while the Joseph Rowntree Foundation continues to highlight the growing levels of poverty and hardship driving demand for local support.

Together, the evidence paints a clear picture: communities need stronger local services at precisely the moment councils are under the greatest financial strain.

COSLA Resources Spokesperson Kelly Parry said: “There is little left to cut without communities feeling the impact. Councils have already delivered billions in savings while continuing to provide the services people rely on every day.

“Local services are the foundation of strong communities. If Scotland wants high-quality schools, social care, roads and local support services, councils must be given the resources to deliver them.

“The choice is clear: either we invest in local services or we accept their decline. Communities across Scotland deserve better than that.”

COSLA is calling for increased investment in local government, including support to meet growing social care demands, inflation-proofed funding, greater local flexibility and multi-year settlements that allow councils to plan effectively for the future.

“Strong communities need strong councils. If Scotland wants high-quality local services, local government must be properly funded to deliver them.”

Read our budget lobbying document here.

COSLA-Budget-Document-2026Download

COSLA calls for investment in social care funding

Social care pressures are spiralling. Integration Joint Boards have faced £497m pressures in 2025/26. A £750m investment in the Scottish Budget could stabilise the system, says COSLA:

COSLA is urging the Scottish Government to provide a £16 billion boost in revenue in the Scottish Budget, to secure fair and sustainable funding for councils.

A demand for a £844 million general capital settlement has also been requested, plus a restoration of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme to £955 million, to maintain, repair, expand and secure the future of Council estates.

COSLA has launched a lobbying campaign urging the Scottish Government to use the upcoming Scottish Budget to provide councils with the fair, sustainable and multi-year funding needed to protect essential local services.

The campaign – ‘Strong Councils, Strong Communities’ – highlights growing pressures facing local government and the very real consequences of continued underfunding for communities across Scotland. The financial pressures in social care and housing are two key areas COSLA are asking the Scottish Government to specifically address in their upcoming budget.

COSLA warns that without urgent action in January’s Budget, councils will be unable to maintain essential services such as social care, education, housing support, roads, and community safety.

COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Ricky Bell, said: ““Scotland’s councils deliver the services that people rely on every single day — from caring for older and vulnerable people to keeping schools open, streets safe and communities thriving.

“Councils are facing greater demand than ever and are required to do more with significantly less. This is unsustainable.

“The upcoming Scottish Budget is a pivotal moment. The Scottish Government must deliver a settlement that matches the scale of the challenge. Without fair funding, communities will see services reduced and inequalities deepen, and we will struggle to meet national targets in key areas such as child poverty, housing, and net zero”

This year, councils continue to face rising inflation, increasing demand for services, and the continued impact of workforce pressures across social care and education. COSLA’s analysis shows that even maintaining current services requires substantial additional investment.

As a fair and sustainable overall financial settlement COSLA’s key asks from the campaign include:

  • An immediate £750m investment in social care.
  • Flexibility for councils to make local decisions that respond to community needs.
  • Recognition of local government as an equal partner in delivering national priorities and tackling inequalities.

COSLA President, Councillor Shona Morrison, added: “Councils work tirelessly to deliver for Scotland’s communities, however, continued pressure on resources makes this increasingly challenging.

“This is about safeguarding what matters most, support for the most vulnerable, opportunities for young people, support for families, and safe, thriving communities.

“We hope the Budget will reflect the vital role Local Government plays in Scotland’s public services.”

Over £16 Billion needed in the Scottish Budget to protect essential services, COSLA Warns

COSLA is urging the Scottish Government to provide a £16 billion boost in revenue in the Scottish Budget, to secure fair and sustainable funding for councils.

A demand for a £844 million general capital settlement has also been requested, plus a restoration of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme to £955 million, to maintain, repair, expand and secure the future of Council estates.

COSLA has today launched a lobbying campaign urging the Scottish Government to use the upcoming Scottish Budget to provide councils with the fair, sustainable and multi-year funding needed to protect essential local services.

The campaign – ‘Strong Councils, Strong Communities’ – highlights growing pressures facing local government and the very real consequences of continued underfunding for communities across Scotland. The financial pressures in social care and housing are two key areas COSLA are asking the Scottish Government to specifically address in their upcoming budget.

COSLA warns that without urgent action in January’s Budget, councils will be unable to maintain essential services such as social care, education, housing support, roads, and community safety.

COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Ricky Bell, said: “Scotland’s councils deliver the services that people rely on every single day — from caring for older and vulnerable people to keeping schools open, streets safe and communities thriving. Councils are facing greater demand than ever and are required to do more with significantly less. This is unsustainable.

“The upcoming Scottish Budget is a pivotal moment. The Scottish Government must deliver a settlement that matches the scale of the challenge. Without fair funding, communities will see services reduced and inequalities deepen, and we will struggle to meet national targets in key areas such as child poverty, housing, and net zero”

This year, councils continue to face rising inflation, increasing demand for services, and the continued impact of workforce pressures across social care and education. COSLA’s analysis shows that even maintaining current services requires substantial additional investment.

As a fair and sustainable overall financial settlement COSLA’s key asks from the campaign include:

  • An immediate £750m investment in social care.
  • Flexibility for councils to make local decisions that respond to community needs.
  • Recognition of local government as an equal partner in delivering national priorities and tackling inequalities.

COSLA President, Councillor Shona Morrison, added: “Councils work tirelessly to deliver for Scotland’s communities, however, continued pressure on resources makes this increasingly challenging.

“This is about safeguarding what matters most, support for the most vulnerable, opportunities for young people, support for families, and safe, thriving communities. We hope the Budget will reflect the vital role Local Government plays in Scotland’s public services.”

Budget-Lobbying-Campaign-2025-Final-Version-25-12-08Download