Local politicians have responded with incredulity to the suggestion from Finance Secretary Kate Forbes that councils should use their reserves to pay for the fight against coronavirus.

Kate Forbes wrote to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla)  in response to calls for her government to pass on all £155 million in Barnett Consequentials intended for local authorities. But instead of promising to send the cash on, she advised councils to raid their own savings, despite Audit Scotland repeatedly warning that many local authorities were running on empty.

Shadow Finance Secretary Donald Cameron, a Highlands and Islands MSP, said: “This is an extraordinary statement from the Finance Secretary.

“She seems to be completely unaware of the dire financial situation confronting local authorities across the Highlands and Islands.

“Instead of simply passing on the funding provided by the UK Government directly to the councils, she is dithering and delaying.

“Councils like Argyll and Bute Council  are in no position to provide extra cash at the drop of a hat.”

Cllr Gary Mulvaney, Depute Leader, Argyll and Bute Council added: “We are all focused on the doing the right thing to protect our residents, communities and businesses, but without absolute clarity and certainty at this stage, there is a fear that when all expenditure is totted up at the end of this, there will be financial hole left to councils and social care partnerships to fill.”