Call to increase anti-sectarianism cash
LABOUR have launched a campaign calling for increased funding to tackle sectarianism in Scotland.
The party claimed schemes currently running have just two weeks before their funding runs out and have not been told when applications for more cash will open.
Scottish Government funding has fallen in the last three years from £3million in 2015/16 to £500,000 in 2017/18.
Labour MSP James Kelly called for at least £1million of funding urgently.
Kelly’s Member’s Bill to scrap a controversial law aimed at tackling sectarianism in football was passed at the Scottish Parliament last week. He said: “Parliament have now recognised the importance of funding for projects to tackle sectarianism.
“Tackling sectarianism must start in schools and the money must be there for projects to do this effectively.
“The Scottish Government must listen to Parliament, accept they have been defeated and commit to re-investing in worthwhile anti- sectarianism schemes.”
Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing said they were committed to tackling all forms of prejudice.
She added: “This is why I made a commitment in the Scottish Parliament on March 15 to maintain funding to deliver work to tackle sectarianism in 2018-19 and to provide a real terms increase to this.”