Urgent seminar for Inverness councillors to determine city roads maintenance budget
Inverness councillors yesterday agreed to work together to push for city roads to be allocated maintenance funding based on usage, rather than length.
budget
MSPs pass Derek Mackay’s controversial Scottish budget
The Scottish Government’s budget was officially passed last night - meaning an increase in income tax paid for Scottish higher earners compared with the rest of the UK.
Scottish budget given final approval by MSPs
The Scottish Parliament has formally approved the Government’s tax and spending plans for 2019-20 in the budget’s final vote at Holyrood.
SNP budget leading to teacher cut plans, Scottish Labour leader claims
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard clashed with Nicola Sturgeon at First Minister’s Questions on funding for councils in the Scottish Government budget.
Scottish Budget set to be passed by Holyrood
The Scottish Government’s tax and spending plans for 2019-20 are to be formally approved by Holyrood on Thursday, thanks to a deal between SNP ministers and Green MSPs.
Exodus warning as MSPs back controversial income tax plans
Derek Mackay last night faced fresh warnings that high earners could quit Scotland to avoid paying increased income tax rates as MSPs voted for his controversial tax plans.
MSPs vote to pass Scottish Government’s tax rate plans
MSPs have passed the Scottish Government’s proposals on income tax rates for the coming financial year by 61 votes to 52.
North-east councillor questions increasingly ‘depressing’ budget-setting process after voting for £22 million of cuts
One of dozens of north-east councillors who this week voted for £22 million of cuts - which will hit schools, libraries and bus services - has branded the budget-setting process "depressing".
North-east opposition leader dismayed at prospect of redundancies
The leader of the largest opposition group in the chamber said he was deeply concerned about the prospect of redundancies.
North-east councils rule out parking tax for the foreseeable future
Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City councils have ruled out imposing a controversial car park tax for the foreseeable future.
Cash-strapped Highland council putting children’s education at risk with new budget saving tactics
Highland Council’s administration yesterday got its budget of £37.5million savings through yesterday - but there were concerns inside and outside the chamber over cuts to education.
Schools, libraries, bus services to bear brunt of north-east council’s £22m cuts
Schools, libraries and bus services across Aberdeenshire will all be hit by swinging council cuts.
£5 million cut to roads repairs among budget saving plans proposed by Aberdeenshire councillors
A £5 million roads repair "holiday" is one of a raft of controversial cuts being proposed by opposition politicians to balance a north-east council's books.
Hammond’s claim to balance the books has ‘no credibility’, say MPs
Chancellor Philip Hammond’s goal of eliminating the budget deficit and balancing the books has “no credibility” and should be abandoned, MPs have said.
Drastic overhaul of local government finance ‘essential’ according to north-east council chief
Council chiefs claim a drastic overhaul of local government finance is needed if they are to cope with increasingly tough economic times.
Education and leisure bear brunt of Highland Council budget cuts
In yesterday's budget announcements, the axe of savings and efficiencies falls largely on education - losing £5.9m - and leisure, with HighLife Highland expected to find £1.5m.
Huge response to ‘use it or lose it’ plea may save Moray pools and school programme
A huge outpouring of support from Moray campaigners could be about to save leisure services in the region.
Hundreds of jobs could go as Aberdeenshire Council stares into £27m budget black hole
A north-east council has refused to rule out cutting jobs as it attempts to overcome a gaping deficit of almost £30 million.
Tens of thousands of Scots could be ‘fleeced’ by new parking charge, Tories say
Workers face being “thumped” by plans to allow councils across Scotland to introduce a tax if they park their car at their place of employment, the Tories have claimed.
Hundreds of jobs under threat as north-east council looks to close huge deficit
Hundreds of jobs could go as Aberdeenshire Council looks to close a budget black hole of £27 million.
Finance Secretary accused of dishonesty in budget talks
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has been accused of concealing knowledge from opposition parties about what funding was available during budget discussions.
Scottish Government accused of failing to listen on workplace parking charges
SNP ministers have been accused of failing to listen to people’s views on controversial proposals for a workplace parking charge.
Teachers could be exempt from workplace parking charge
Exemptions to a planned workplace parking levy could “quite possibly” be extended beyond the NHS to other parts of the public sector, the Scottish Government has said.
Controversial car parking tax will hit north and north east
Rural commuters in the north and north east will be “penalised” by Derek Mackay’s workplace car-parking charge, it was claimed yesterday.
Moray financial problems still not fixed despite extra funding from Scottish Government
Moray Council opposition Conservative group leader Tim Eagle has welcomed extra funding from the Scottish Government, but stressed that the region's financial problems were still not fixed.
Aberdeen council calls for ideas as it faces down £40-£50million budget black hole
Aberdeen council leaders have urged community groups to come forward with ideas as it emerged between £40 and £50million will have to be trimmed this year.
Lib Dems hit out as £54m from UK Government goes unspent in Scottish budget
More than £50 million of cash in the Scottish Government’s Budget for the coming year will go unspent, it has emerged.
Scotland set for rise in council tax as part of new budget deal
Derek Mackay yesterday paved the way for council tax rises across Scotland as he brokered a budget deal with the Greens that will also introduce a new levy on tourists.
Aberdeenshire’s councillors unite in calling for more cash-raising powers from Scottish Government
Aberdeenshire's finance chiefs have made repeated calls for more powers to be devolved to local government.
Theresa May tells SNP to stop ‘hoarding’ power after Moray cuts raised at Westminster
Theresa May yesterday told the SNP to empower local government instead of “hoarding power” at Holyrood after Moray Council cuts were raised at Prime Minister’s Questions.
Finance secretary letter to Moray provokes opposition anger
Fury erupted yesterday amid claims a letter from the Scottish Government finance secretary blamed the former adminstration for the financial crisis at Moray Council.
Green MSP warns rural areas will suffer unless Derek Mackay’s budget delivers the goods
The Scottish Government and Greens were last night edging closer to striking a deal to get the budget through Holyrood - on the basis that local councils get more support.