Government could take another path

There is a focus on the budget in the Scottish Parliament as we debate the first stage of the Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2018/19.

With the SNP failing to win an outright majority at the 2016 election they will need support from another party to pass their budget proposals.

This is not new, during the 2007-11 Parliament the SNP often found support from the Scottish Conservatives to pass Alex Salmond’s budgets.

Last year Nicola Sturgeon turned to the Scottish Greens, who look set to support her again. As with last year, the Conservative Government’s austerity agenda is casting a large shadow over our budget debate.

The Scottish Government does however, have the opportunity to take a different path. This is the second budget that will benefit from the new powers devolved through the Smith Commission. The Government could use these powers to ensure those with the broadest shoulders pay a bit more and invest in our public services.

Yet rather than delivering the radical change Scotland needs, the SNP are prepared to pass down cuts, via Holyrood, to our councils from Westminster.

Local authority budgets are down by more than seven per cent in real terms since 2010-11. As a result, councils are faced with having to continue to dip into their reserves or identify even more cuts, over and above those already taken.

It is important not to look at the budget as just figures on a spreadsheet. This is vital funding for our local services; our schools and hospitals, social care and local housing, community centres and our arts and culture.

Cuts from Westminster and Holyrood have consequences that are felt across the country, including Stirling and the surrounding area. These cuts end up falling hardest on the poorest, the most vulnerable, and our children.

Proposals by Stirling Council officers which are out for public consultation could see the successful and much loved Big Noise Raploch youth orchestra’s funding almost halved in the next five years, proving a huge blow for those who benefit from the free music tuition now and in the future. The Smith Art Gallery and Museum, open for 144 years, could be forced to close if it loses it funding too, provoking nearly 3500 supporters to sign a change.org petition in its first 24 hours.

Why? Well, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute, the SNP Government’s budget only generates an additional £28 million to invest in public services. As a result, local authority budgets are facing an effective cut of £700 million.

At a time when local councillors are working hard to avoid every cut possible, the fact that such proposals even have to be considered shows how critical it is to stop any further council cuts from Holyrood. That is why we cannot just tinker around the edges but rather produce a budget that delivers real and radical change, protecting services and tackling poverty.

Councils hands are tied. They can raise council tax by three per cent – as suggested by the SNP’s draft budget. Yet this would only raise an addition £77 million, just 11 per cent of the total revenue needed.

That is why when it comes to the budget debate Scottish Labour

Rather than delivering the radical change Scotland needs, the SNP are prepared to pass down cuts, via Holyrood, to our councils

have five key tests - does it stop Tory austerity? Does it tackle the shameful growth in poverty? Does it redistribute wealth? Does it redistribute power? And, does it grow the economy for the many, not just the few?

The ball is in the SNP’s court. We now need to see the Scottish Government meet these targets.