SNP cuts threaten future medal glory, says Labour

Macdonald warns reductions to funding will hit Olympic prospects

The SNP has been accused of threatening the legacy of Scotland’s achievements in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games by forcing cuts to sport funding.

Figures released by Scottish Labour as the curtain came down on Rio 2016 showed £9 million had been wiped from SportScotland spending.

Labour has blamed the SNP administration for imposing the reductions in key areas through slashing the national sport agency’s budget.

One of those areas is supporting sport in schools, college and universities, where nearly £2m has been chopped in SportScotland’s revised spending plan.

Scottish Labour’s culture and sport spokesman, Lewis Macdonald, said the cuts could have a devastating impact on Scotland’s future Olympic prospects, as well as for children’s health.

He said rather than capitalise on the successes of Andy Murray, Laura Trott and Mo Farah, the SNP have slashed cash support.

“This isn’t just about discovering the next generation of gold medallists – more Scottish children playing sport will pay off in the classroom and, in the long term, in our health service,” he said.

“These short-sighted cuts from the SNP will sell Scotland short in the long term.”

SportScotland’s updated business plan for 2015-17, which was submitted in July six months after the original, shows investment has been cut by 17%, from £55m to £46m.

Public health and sport minister Aileen Campbell said Scotland is facing a 10% cut from the UK Government between 2010 and 2020.

She said funding from the Scottish Government to SportScotland has increased by a quarter since 2013-15.

“We’ve budgeted this year for overall support for sport and physical activity to be maintained, as well as making targeted investments in additional programmes that help people realise the health benefits of being active – such as the new £1m scheme which encourages people with mental health problems to become more physically active,” she added.

“We have also invested £24m in Scotland’s new national sports performance centre and £6m in Scotland’s first dedicated para-sports facility.”