SNP GOVERNMENT CHOOSES TO PROTECT MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL IN BUDGET

SNP PRIORITISING LOCAL SERVICES AND PEOPLE, DESPITE WESTMINSTER CONSTRAINTS 
 
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has said 'despite the financial constraints of Westminster control, services and people in Midlothian and East Lothian have been prioritised in the Scottish Government's budget for 2022/23,  
Midlothian and East Lothian Council are set to benefit from over £13.2 billion, announced by the Deputy First Minister yesterday, for councils in the Local Government Settlement 2023-24 - a real terms increase of 1.3% since Budget Act 2022-23.  
 
In, what has been described as 'the most challenging budget settlement since devolution', John Swinney MSP announced that 'instead of providing the flat-cash position set out in the Resource Spending Review, [the Scottish Government is] now increasing the resources available to Local Government next year by over £550 million.'  
 
Commenting SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, said:  
 
"The financial pressures on governments right now are incredibly heavy and it is at times like these that Governments have to make tough choices and, ultimately, decide what matters to them - so I welcome the SNP Scottish Government prioritising councils like Midlothian and East Lothian, the services they provide and people they serve, despite the financial constraints of Westminster control. 
 
"Midlothian and East Lothian Council will benefit hugely from the SNP Government's decision to go beyond the commitments made in the Resource Spending Review and provide over £550 million funding for local government compared to the RSR position.  
 
"There is no doubt that this Budget takes place at a time of enormous challenge, created by Westminster economic mismanagement and Brexit, causing the cost of living crisis, which is now putting huge strain on council services. 
 
"At national and local level, the SNP in government will continue to do all it can with all that we have, to help people in Midlothian and East Lothian cope through this crisis and protect essential services. This budget settlement for local government will help in that endeavour - however, it is clear that we could do so much more for people and communities across Scotland with the full powers and resources of independence."  ​
 
NOTES 
 
Scottish Budget: 2023-24