West Lothian has backed national calls on the Scottish Government to release extra funds given by Westminster.
“It’s time to pay, and cease centralist prevarication”, said Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick, leader of West Lothian Council Labour Group, and the council.
That echoed calls on Monday by Labour’s Local Government spokesperson, Sarah Boyack, who urged the Holyrood administration to announce the date that Scotland’s cash-strapped councils can expect to receive their fair share of the £155m in UK Government Barnett Consequentials - money given to Scotland by the UK government.
Mr Fitzpatrick said: “It’s totally outrageous that Scottish Government continues to delay West Lothian’s share of £155 million.
“This money was provided to councils in Scotland in recognition of additional costs incurred necessarily to significantly extend services to those in desperate need.”
Ms Boyack said: “The tremendous efforts made by local authorities and their staff across Scotland to keep services going during the pandemic cannot be commended enough.
“A month has gone by since this emergency money was announced by the UK Government for English councils. The Scottish Government’s condescending attitude to councils and lack of action is unacceptable.
“Councils should never have been forced to ask for this money. It is time for the Finance Secretary to do right by the councils that have kept Scotland moving during the most acute national crisis in living memory.”
