Thursday February 1st 2018
Yesterday Scottish Government Finance Secretary Derek Mackay unveiled revised budget proposals including an extra £170m funding for councils. Midlothian’s share of this is £2.63m.
The budget boost comes as the Scottish Government confirmed that local government will receive an above inflation increase in resource funding.
Under the tax reforms 70% of taxpayers will pay less than last year, while higher earners will face an increase.
These tax changes will allow the Scottish Government to increase health spending by £400 million to £13.6 billion, lift the public sector pay cap and provide a package of investment in the economy.
The extra money will help Midlothian Council meet the £13.5 million budget shortfall it has coming up in the next financial year, 2018-19.
Commenting, Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale said:
“The draft budget shows that where Scotland has the power, the SNP will take a different, fairer approach – and give Scots the best deal in the UK.
“Thanks to the decisions made by the Scottish Government, local government funding is increasing by inflation and today Midlothian Council have today been given an extra £2.630M to spend on local services.
“That’s a good deal for taxpayers and for public services in Midlothian – and is only possible because of the SNP’s progressive tax reforms, that are backed by the public by 2 to 1.
“In the face of massive Westminster cuts, the Scottish Government is using its powers progressively to invest in our schools and our hospitals – and in communities across the area.”
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