With the forthcoming North Lanarkshire Council budget on the horizon, the local authority’s financial chief has called on the Scottish Government to utilise their powers at Holyrood to shield councils from further cuts.
As North Lanarkshire Council prepares to set its budget, the SNP-controlled Scottish Government remains in a position to exercise significant influence over the financial decisions that affect local communities.
NLC finance convener Andrew Duffy-Lawson said that the recent UK Government’s first budget resulted in record investment in the Scottish Government and increased financial support, seeing an additional £1.5 billion this current financial year and £3.4 billion in the upcoming financial year.
The budget included a substantial payment to the Scottish Government, representing the largest payment made since devolution began, as well as a pay increase for the lowest-paid workers.
Councillor Duffy-Lawson said: ‘We would expect the SNP, as the dominant force in Scottish politics, to seize this opportunity to bring about meaningful change. With the tools at their disposal, they have the power to ensure that North Lanarkshire Council, along with other local authorities, can continue to deliver essential services without the burden of cuts.
“The SNP should be utilising their budget to protect the vital services that our communities rely on, instead they are set to increase their external affairs and constitutional budget by a massive 9.3 per cent and local government by 2.6 per cent.
“This is a complete slap in the face to our communities and signals that, once again the SNP Government’s priorities do not align with delivery of local services for local people. The SNP seem more interested in spending money on foreign embassies and trips abroad than protecting local services.
“It is time for them to put their words into action and deliver on their promise of ‘more powers, fewer cuts’. Our residents deserve nothing less.”
North Lanarkshire Council will set its budget for 2025/26 on February 20.
Under the Local Government Settlement, North Lanarkshire Council will receive £869.7 million with £805.8 million allocated to South Lanarkshire.
Significant funding will be provided to support the development of the full business case for the replacement for University Hospital Monklands.
Through the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme the Scottish Government will provide significant support towards extensions to Chryston High School and Newton Farm Primary School.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “This ambitious Budget delivers funding for communities the length and breadth of Scotland – delivering the services required to meet the changing needs of a modern nation.
“This includes vital funding for education in Lanarkshire, and developing the full business case for replacement for Monklands Hospital.
“I am urging Parliament to work together to pass the Budget, a Budget for hope and recovery which enables us to get on with delivering on the priorities of the people of Scotland.”
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