Anti-sectarian funding ‘has been cut by £10m’

FUNDING for anti-sectarian initiatives has been cut by £10m in five years according to the MSP bidding to scrap the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.

James Kelly, Glasgow Labour MSP, said the cut to the Safer Communities Fund which includes anti-sectarian projects shows the SNP is not tackling the problem.

Mr Kelly said: “A £10 million real-terms cut to the Safer Com- munities budget is appalling and speaks volumes about the SNP’s approach to tackling sectarianism.

“Instead of working with fans and investing in projects that actually change views, they have cut money from vital charities and services while at the same time doggedly pursuing the Football Act at every turn.”

Government information shows funding for specific anti- sectarian projects was £4.8m in 2013/14 and 2014/15.

It was £2.3m the following year before reducing to £1m in 2016/17.

This year 2017/18 the funding announcement was £500,000.

Funding for higher profile groups like Nil By Mouth, Sacro, Sense over Sectarianism and Youthlink have remained similar throughout the period.

MSPs will vote on the first stage of his Bill on Thursday. Mr Kelly added: “Attention has been diverted away from methods which actually tackle sectarianism, like through education.”

A Spokesperson for Community Safety Minister Annabelle Ewing said: “The SNP Government has spent record sums on tackling sectarianism, with more than £14 million invested since 2007, that is more than Labour spent when they were in office.”