Haslam calls for “fair funding deal” for Midlothian Council

Monday March 29th 2021

Shona-Halsam-Scottish-Conservative-candidate-for-Midlothian-South-Tweeddale-and-Lauderdale

Shona Haslam, Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale


Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson

Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate Shona Haslam for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale has vowed to deliver a ‘fair funding deal’ for Midlothian Council.

Shona Haslam is backing plans by her party to reverse years of cuts they say have been imposed by the SNP on local authorities such as Midlothian Council during their 14 years in office.

The SNP Government’s Budget, Haslam says, has increased by nine per cent since 2011-12, yet local councils have had a 17 per cent real terms cut in their revenue funding and in Midlothian, revenue funding has been cut by 5% over the last decade, a reduction of £7 million.

The Scottish Conservatives proposals would see a guaranteed proportion of the Scottish budget each year enshrined into law to be handed down to councils.

For Midlothian, the Scottish Conservative say the proposals would see an increase of £20.9 million in general revenue funding over the course of the next parliament.

Commenting, Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate Shona Haslam said:

“Our councils have been on the frontline against this pandemic, but the SNP have imposed devastating cuts on our local authorities during their 14 years in office. Despite their own budget increasing from the UK Government, they have slashed vital local services.

“The Scottish Conservatives say enough is enough. We will guarantee a fair funding deal for local authorities like Midlothian Council in law every year. Only a vote for us on the regional ballot will stop an SNP majority and their plans for indyref2, and have a Parliament that is fully focussed on rebuilding Scotland’s communities.

“In Midlothian, our funding plans would see an additional £20.9 million in revenue funding in order to protect services and jobs as we rebuild our communities from Covid. As the fastest growing local authority in Scotland, Midlothian faces a unique set of pressures and more funding is urgently required.

“The SNP Government have never been interested in supporting our councils despite having the funds from the UK Government to do so.”

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