Local politicians have expressed concern that Argyll and Bute Council stands to lose out financially as the Scottish Government refuses to confirm that it will pass on extra funding from the UK Government to local authorities.

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron and Councillor Yvonne McNeilly spoke out after  Finance Secretary Kate Forbes failed to commit to passing on £155 million in Barnett consequentials to help local government combat coronavirus, in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Mr Cameron, the Scottish Conservative Shadow Finance Secretary,  said: “This is no time for the Scottish Government to do things differently just for the sake of it.

“Kate Forbes needs to think again and assure our councils that the money intended for them, actually goes to them.

“The council is playing a vital role in responding to the coronavirus pandemic in partnership with the NHS, particularly in delivering social care to the most vulnerable.

“It is also responsible for delivering an incredibly important range of essential services such as waste collection, street cleaning and  education.

“That needs to be reflected in the financial settlement it receives, as intended by the UK Government through the extra funding allocation.”

Cllr Yvonne McNeilly, Policy Lead on Education on Argyll and Bute Council,  added:

“Our staff are playing an absolute blinder in ensuring our children and young people and their families remain supported in their teaching and learning in these very difficult times.

“It’s not enough for the First Minister to say that education is her number one priority;  she must show us now, by giving us in local government this funding, that she actually means it.”

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