SNP and Green MSPs are expected to back the Scottish Government's Budget later today despite fears it will leave councils desperately short of cash.
Finance secretary Kate Forbes has claimed the deal is "bold and ambitious" ahead of the first vote on Holyrood's spending plans for the year ahead.
MSPs are to discuss the general principles of the Budget in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday where it is expected to pass thanks to the SNP-Green majority.
The Scottish Conservatives have called for the Greens – who signed a powersharing deal with the Nationalists last year – to “show some backbone” and stand up to SNP ministers over cuts to councils.
Opposition parties and local government body Cosla have said the Budget allocation for councils, more than £11 billion, is a real-terms cut of £371 million.
Forbes said: “Our bold and ambitious spending plans are focused on supporting our key priorities, ensuring no one and no region is left behind.”
The finance secretary said her draft budget “targets resources towards low-income households, invests in initiatives to end Scotland’s contribution to climate change and fundamentally, provides much-needed investment to bolster our economic recovery”.
She continued: “Recognising the severe impacts of the pandemic, £18 billion will support health boards and accelerate the recovery of vital health and social care services.
“Significant funding is also being provided to support the next steps in the single greatest public health reform since the establishment of the NHS – the creation of a new National Care Service.”
She also insisted: “Despite increased financial pressures, we are also continuing to treat councils fairly and we are providing a real-terms increase of over five per cent to local authority budgets for the coming year – despite cuts to Scotland’s overall budget by the UK Government.”
Scottish Tory finance spokeswoman Liz Smith claimed that Thursday’s vote was “the Greens’ big chance to show some backbone and stand up to the SNP”.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, Lib Dem leader, said: "This is a budget that will break the bank for cash strapped local authorities while ministerial attention drifts to breaking up the UK.
"We’re a long way from being able to offer the government our votes to see it through."
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
