Chamber and committees

Thank you.

My next question is about how councils are likely to push down on some cost pressures so that they do not have to increase council tax above inflation. Previous settlements have led to cuts to services, so in which areas can councils consider making cuts, increasing charging or reducing services? What will that look like across Scotland?

Given the funding formula, which councils are least able to meet that challenge? My area, which is Edinburgh, receives the lowest funding per head of population, but we know about the pressures on social care and housing there. Most of the delayed discharge problems that NHS Scotland faces are actually in the capital. Do you know, from the discussions that are going on at national level in COSLA, which councils are most likely to need the largest council tax increases?

That is helpful, thank you. Unison’s submission to the committee says that it would support a degree of ring fencing in some budget areas as necessary. To which areas should that ring-fencing be attached for budgeting, given the pressures that local authorities are facing?

It is okay.

They are not my figures; they are COSLA’s. It has specifically said that there is a £371 million cut to councils across Scotland. All the SNP council leaders have signed a letter to the First Minister complaining about that.

What allocation did that £100 million come from?

I welcome what we just heard, because many councils have for too long expressed concerns about funding. My local authority—the City of Edinburgh Council—is the lowest-funded council, and NHS Lothian is the lowest-funded health board. I hope that both those things, and not just council funding in general, will be looked at.

I have a question for Kate Forbes about council tax increases. Following your budget, what is the average level of council tax increase that councils are likely to set?

Good morning, Ms Baxter, and thank you for joining us this morning.

In a previous committee meeting, Unison outlined cuts to staffing and increased workloads and you have also mentioned that. Some of the figures that the committee has been given suggest that, since 2015, we have seen a 2 per cent higher employment level. We all know about the lack of social care staff—I certainly know about that in Edinburgh. Where does that employment figure come from and in what areas have you seen a loss of members?

Scottish National Party and Green ministers have said that the budget will reduce inequalities. What is your opinion on that, given that we know that there are £371 million of cuts attached to the budget?