A north-east MSP has claimed taxpayers in the region are being “raided” for millions by the SNP while funding for local councils and NHS Grampian is being cut.
Speaking after the Conservatives North-East conference in Cults this weekend, Aberdeenshire West member Alexander Burnett hit out at the ruling Holyrood administration.
Figures released last week by Audit Scotland showed NHS Grampian will be underfunded by £12million this year, while Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils are braced for another round of cuts in 2017-18.
Mr Burnett said: “The difficulties facing the north-east economy since the downturn in oil and gas have been well documented.
“But this area is also being raided by the SNP government in Edinburgh through a series of tax grabs on hard-working families.
“A disproportionate number of households, including 41% in Aberdeenshire, will see their council tax bills rise next year with an extra burden of £8.2million in Aberdeenshire and £5.8milllion in Aberdeen.
“Many more middle-income families are being dragged into higher tax brackets, while local companies are paying an extra £7million thanks to the doubling of the large business supplement.
“Amidst all of this, NHS Grampian is being underfunded to the tune of £12million, while both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils are facing more cuts to their budgets for next year.
“It’s abundantly clear where this SNP government’s priorities lie – it is all about the central belt.”
However, a Scottish Government spokeswoman responded that Holyrood was committed to challenging Westminster austerity.
She said: “Local authorities will keep every penny of the council tax raised in their areas and there will be no change for three out of four Scottish households in terms of how much they pay as a result of our reforms.
“Our council tax reforms will protect household incomes, make local taxation fairer and ensure local authorities continue to be properly funded while becoming more accountable.
“And, to bring NHS Grampian closer to parity, the board received additional funding of £29million in 2015-16 and a further £15million in 2016-17.
“NHS Grampian received record levels of funding in 2016-17 as its resource budget has increased by 6.6% to £882.3million – an above inflation increase, having previously increased by 6.3% in 2015-16.”
