New figures from Scottish Labour show that residents in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute have been hit by SNP austerity.

The analysis shows that SNP cuts to the council’s budget since 2013-14 have cost local communities more than £100 per head. In 2013-14 West Dunbartonshire Council was given £2,180 revenue per head, but the in the 2018-19 budget this was reduced to just £2,076. Over the same period, in Argyll & Bute Council, the cuts have been even deeper, amounting to almost £230 per head. In 2013-14 Argyll and Bute received £2439 but this was reduced to £2212 in 2018-19.

The cuts to the council’s budget have had an adverse effect on local services with severe cuts being made to services throughout West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute.

Jackie said:

“These figures reveal the true cost of SNP austerity for individuals and communities here in West Dunbartonshire and in Argyll and Bute. This SNP Government has slashed budgets consistently for more than five years and this has a direct impact on lifeline services.

“People in West Dunbartonshire have lost more than £100 of spending per head and in Argyll & Bute, it’s a cut of almost £230 per head – that is simply shocking.

“Labour has called on the Scottish Government to use the powers of the Parliament to end austerity and invest in our communities. This new evidence shows that this is needed now more than ever