The SNP’s draft Budget fails to pass on an uplift in funding from the UK Government on to local councils like Moray, local MP Douglas Ross has said.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes unveiled the first-stage plans at Holyrood on Thursday, with the highest-ever funding settlement from Westminster.
However, the increase of 9% in central funding going to Holyrood was not matched by a rise of less than 1% passed on to local authorities.
Mr Ross said that councils like Moray will face “huge challenges” in the year ahead to maintain public services given the impact and cost of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
“This was a missed opportunity from the SNP to deliver a fair funding deal for councils.
“The UK Government provided a record level of support with a 9% increase in the Scottish budget, but the SNP has barely passed on a 1% rise to local authorities.
“That will have a direct and negative impact on the ability of Moray Council to fund local services that we all rely on.
"There are huge challenges facing our councils this year given the impact of the pandemic.
“The Scottish Conservatives set out our plans last year for a fairer funding deal for councils, arguing that local government should receive a set percentage of the total budget each year.
“Instead, our councils have been let down and it is local services in our communities that are likely to suffer.”