SWINNEY DELIVERS GOOD DEAL FOR SOUTH LANARKSHIRE DESPITE UK CUTS TO SCOTTISH BUDGET

SNP MSP Linda Fabiani has welcomed the announcement by Finance Secretary John Swinney of a £12 billion package of funding for local government in 2010-11.

South Lanarkshire Council’s funding will rise from £626 million this year to £634 in 2010-11. Councils which freeze council tax for the third year in a row will also receive a further £70 million.

Commenting, Ms Fabiani said:

“South Lanarkshire Council will receive £2,044 of funding for every member of the local population next year, an increase of 6 per cent from this year.

“This is a real achievement for John Swinney and shows how the SNP is delivering locally, even in tough times.

“The Westminster government’s imposition of a £500 million cut in the Scottish budget, despite the current recession, has meant difficult choices have had to be made, but this local government funding package shows that the SNP believes in protecting crucial frontline services.

“Labour in Scotland continues to peddle the fantasy that the Scottish Government has money to burn, but the fact is that without the Chancellor’s cuts this local government settlement would have been £174 million higher.

“I commend the much more mature and practical attitude of Scottish local authorities, who have agreed to accept their share of the reduction and to work with the Scottish government to protect the services that matter most to people in Scotland. Their commitment to a partnership approach is welcome.

“I hope that South Lanarkshire Council will also work with the Scottish government to ensure that local council tax payers benefit from a third successive council tax freeze. That will help to ease the financial strain that many households are feeling in the current climate.”