SNP BUDGET DELIVERS RECORD FUNDING FOR MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN COUNCILS

COLIN BEATTIE MSP WELCOMES £21m INVESTMENT IN LOCAL SERVICES IN EAST LOTHIAN AND £19.7m IN MIDLOTHIAN.

Colin Beattie MSP has highlighted the record funding going to Midlothian and East Lothian after the Scottish Budget was passed at Holyrood this week, providing a £1 billion increase in funding to local authorities.

After the budget received cross-party support – despite Labour and Tory MSPs sitting on their hands – Midlothian is set to receive an increase in funding worth £19.7m and East Lothian is set to receive an increase worth £21m.

This increases funding for local priorities, teachers and additional support for learning and to tackle the climate emergency. It also facilitates pay increases agreed for our teachers, social care workers, refuse collectors and more.

Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said:
“This year’s Scottish Budget provides record funding for Midlothian & East Lothian which will help deliver the services people rely on and ensure our community gets the investment it needs.

“After over a decade of austerity and a Labour tax hike which is set to cost councils £100 million, our local authorities have been repeatedly betrayed by Westminster parties.

“Under the SNP, we are not only investing in areas like Midlothian and East Lothian, but we are mitigating the impact of Westminster decisions, to the tune of £144 million for the National Insurance hike alone.

“This SNP government is delivering for Mid and East Lothian, and I am pleased parliament has backed this budget to ensure that continues.”
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ENDS