Fears vital services will be hit as councils’ funding cut by £216m

MSPS yesterday approved a funding deal for Scottish councils – but the SNP Government came under fire for slashing funds which will see cuts to education and social care.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay’s plans, which will see £216million wiped from local authority funding, were rubber stamped at Holyrood last night.

Experts have warned local government bosses may be forced to cut back on vital services and could even have to cut staff.

But MSPs voted to pass the deal by 66 votes to 57. The proposal was backed by the SNP and Green party, while the Tories, Labour and Liberal Democrats said they could not back funding cuts.

The Green party made a deal with the Scottish Government in the lead up to the overall budget vote earlier this year.

This allowed Mr Mackay’s proposals to pass, including plans to make Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK. This will see Scots earning over £43,000 taxed more than their counterparts in England.

A report by the Accounts Commission this week revealed that councils are set to see £216million wiped from their funding following Mr Mackay’s budget.

The damning assessment laid out how drastic savings will see cuts to services including education and social care.

While the SNP claim it is ‘maintaining’ council budgets, figures from the Accounts Commission show a 2 per cent drop this year, and a 9 per cent drop since 2010/11.

A motion by Scottish Labour MSP Alex Rowley stated the funding offered neither a ‘sufficient nor sustainable solution’ for growing pressures placed on councils.