'We were treated to a masterclass in spin that would have made Malcolm Tucker proud' ✍ PaulJSweeney
With the cost-of-living crisis biting hard, it was the most important fiscal event the Scottish Parliament has seen in its 23-year lifespan.
There was nothing for public sector workers, many of whom are continuing to take industrial action after a decade of wage suppression; nothing for businesses staring down the barrel of a gun as footfall drops and disposable income shrinks; and nothing for hard pressed public services crying out for investment and a commitment to long term support.
In short, nowhere near the £1 billion that Scotland’s councils say is needed for them just to stand still and a whopping 4.9% decrease in funding when inflation is taken into account.chiefs warning that “it is inevitable that current spending plans will inevitably lead to job losses” with one analysis projecting that up to 9700 jobs could be lost from local authorities across the country.
Ironically, it appears that any increased revenues won’t be reinvested in public services. Instead, thousands of Scots will pay more while receiving less.To quote Strathclyde University’s Fraser of Allander Institute: “The key thing we were all looking out for was the announcement on public sector pay – and we are still looking.”
The landscape is bleak, of that there is no doubt. At a time when Government should be doing everything in its power to protect the most vulnerable, it is sadly being left to volunteers and charities across the city to fill the void and ensure that as many of our fellow Glaswegians as possible can enjoy Christmas.
The commitment of local champions like Audrey to their communities is unrivalled and it’s a testament to their character that when they see need they don’t just complain about it. Instead, they put their words into action.
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