Local Conservatives have expressed concern that SNP spending plans, revealed in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, will lead to cuts in services provided by Argyll and Bute Council.

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron said: “Due to the SNP’s  chronic mismanagement of Scotland’s finances, it looks as if people in Argyll and Bute will pay the price in reduced local services.

“I am particularly concerned about the impact on our schools, and the local police.

“It is extraordinary that the SNP continue to prioritise spending millions of pounds on an independence referendum at a time like this.”

Councillor Yvonne McNeilly (Dunoon Ward), Policy Lead for Education for Argyll and Bute Council, said: “We will do our absolute best to protect our schools and other services from these Holyrood-imposed cuts.

“But as the great majority of our funding comes from the Scottish Government, and we have already had to cope with years of cutbacks, it will be very difficult indeed.

“Unfortunately, the SNP invariably seem to  put their political interests ahead of what they are supposed to do, which is deliver public services to those who actually need them.”