COSLA response to and analysis of the 2024/25 budget
Read all the latest analysis of the 2024/25 Scottish Budget from COSLA.
NEW United Local Government Writes to UK Government to Urgently Request Funding for Essential Local Services.
NEW The UK Spring Budget will have an impact on revenue funding for essential council services supporting our communities and local economies.
Hear more from our Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann, below.
NEW Scotland's Council Leaders call for urgent budget meeting with Deputy First Minister
NEW COSLA Scottish Budget and Local Government Finance Briefing for MSPs
Read the Budget Reality document here.
Read the post budget statement here.
A budget of missed opportunities
A further three statements highlighted "missed opportunities" of the Scottish budget, to meet Scotland's policy goals and improve circumstances for the people in our communities
The three statements can be found at the links below.
Scottish budget a "missed opportunity" for Net Zero and the economy
Scottish budget shows little focus on prevention and tackling poverty
Public service reform another missed opportunity in Scottish budget
The Scottish Budget, as it stands, will prevent Councils from playing their vital role in tackling climate change and reaching our Net Zero Ambitions. COSLA Environment and Economy Spokesperson, Councillor Gail Macgregor, explains how below.
Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly, explains why the budget needs to reflect the true cost of delivering and commissioning services.
COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson, Councillor Tony Buchanan, explains some of the worrying implications budget cuts could have for Children's services across Scotland.
COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson, Councillor Maureen Chalmers, explains why the Scottish budget will mean a reduction in the number of affordable homes available.
This will have a further negative impact for achieving many of Scotland's key goals - including tackling poverty and supporting refugees and asylum seekers resettling in Scotland.
COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann, explains why budget cuts risk the supply of affordable housing for our communities.
As well as negatively affecting communities directly, this will have a knock-on negative impact on our vital construction industry.
Councillor Hagmann explains how cuts to capital budgets mean cuts to essential services
In the video below, Councillor Hagmann explains how councils use their capital budgets, and how a £54.9 million cut could mean cuts to the most essential services.
Councillor Hagmann summarises some key financial concerns facing Scottish councils
In the video below, Cllr Hagmann explains some of the key financial issues councils are facing, and key concerns following the Scottish budget announcement in December.
£144 million does not fund the council tax freeze
COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann released a short informational statement and video explaining that £144 million proposed to fund the Scottish Government's council tax freeze does not in reality do this for councils.
In November 2023 COSLA released its latest budget lobbying document, highlighting the vital role of councils for our communities and local areas, and the importance of an adequate settlement for local government in the Scottish budget.
Hear more about the Councils Are Key campaign from COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann in the video below.
You can download a copy of the Councils Are Key document here.
Key pre-budget statements
COSLA are clear that Councils Are Key ahead of budget announcement - 4 December 2023
Concern over Future of Social Care Services - 12 December 2023
LGIU Survey Completely Reinforces COSLA Key Budget Message - 13 December 2023
COSLA Vice President issues council tax and workforce warning - 18 December 2023
Alleviating Poverty in Scotland Requires Investment in Local Government - 18 December 2023