UPSTREAM INVESTMENT AND A FOCUS ON PREVENTION CAN HELP SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ACHIEVE THEIR KEY PRIORITIES, SAYS COSLA

There is a more compelling need to drive a focus on greater investment upstream to reduce demand on health and social care services, not just funding the NHS and continue to be reactive - prevention is the key.

This is one of the key messages from COSLA in their response to the Scottish Government Spending Review Framework Consultation

The COSLA submission also pointed to the fact that that Local Government has borne the brunt of funding pressure for more than a decade, and stressed that the gap cannot continue to be met by Local Government through further efficiencies.

COSLA also stated that there are clear signs that health inequalities are worsening and that funding to address this must be sustainable and not at the expense of core Local Government funding.

The Government Consultation is to inform how Scottish Government will prioritise its resources for the next three years  The three priorities are - to support progress toward meeting child poverty targets; to address climate change and to secure a stronger; fairer, greener economy.

Council Leaders also agreed that it is essential that there is meaningful long term, sustainable investment in Local Government to achieve better outcomes across these three priorities.

It is also COSLA’s view that a further priority is required to reflect on the importance of improving the wellbeing of individuals and communities – “to ensure that everyone can live well locally”.

The full COSLA submission can be read here