MIDLOTHIAN NORTH MSP WELCOMES INCREASE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING

£8.08 MILLION BOOST FOR MIDLOTHIAN DESPITE TORY CUTS TO SCOTLAND’S BUDGET

SNP MSP for Midlothian North, Colin Beattie has welcomed news that Midlothian Council is set to receive a total funding increase of 4.67%, as revealed in the Scottish Government’s budget.

The budget saw Finance Secretary Derek Mackay announce a total funding package amounting to £11.1 billion for local government.

Despite a £2 billion reduction in real terms to Scotland’s block grant over the last decade, the 2019/20 budget provides local authorities with a real terms increase in overall funding of over £210 million.

Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:

“People across Midlothian will welcome this significant investment in their local services.

“Despite continued Tory cuts to Scotland’s resource budget, every local authority in Scotland has seen their funding increase in this year’s budget.

“These figures prove that the SNP government is committed to funding councils to deliver better schools, roads, housing and key services in Midlothian.”