Libraries’ funds cut

Spending on library services in Scotland has fallen by almost a fifth over the past decade, Scottish Labour has found.

Annual expenditure on libraries by councils has decreased in nine of the last 10 years, falling from £134.6 million in 2010-11 to £91.8m in 2019-20 – a drop of 19.6%.

The figures, provided by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, suggest libraries would have received an additional £116.4m over the decade if spending had remained at the 2010 level.

Adjusted for inflation, Scottish Labour says the real-term figure amounts to more than £220m in cumulative spending cuts.