Moray’s SNP accused of “capitulation” on Holyrood budget deal
Ahead of Wednesday’s meeting to approve Moray Council’s budget for 2019/20, which is expected to see local tax increases and cuts to services confirmed, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has criticised Moray’s SNP representatives for failing to stand up for Moray against the Scottish Government.
The Conservative MSP’s comments came after a freedom of information request has revealed the limited contact between Moray Council and the Scottish Government following the draft budget’s announcement in December.
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP said:
“My Conservative colleagues on Moray Council have worked hard to force the SNP administration to back down on some of their proposed cuts, most notably in music tuition and local library closures.
“However, what has been made abundantly clear in the information disclosed in FOI requests to both Moray Council and to the Scottish Government is that Moray’s SNP representatives have failed to make a determined case to their own colleagues in the Scottish Government.
“The documents show limited contact between Moray’s SNP administration and Finance Secretary Derek Mackay in December 2018 and January 2019, while the correspondence which did take place could hardly be described as making clear the gravity of the financial situation Moray is in.
“Moray’s SNP administration and SNP MSP have been complicit in accepting a deal which leaves Moray millions of pounds short of the funding it needs, threatening local jobs and services.
“That capitulation means it is local people and businesses - through increased council tax bills, higher charges for services and the loss of services they value - who will be forced to plug the gap left by the Scottish Government funding cut”.
