Recently released statistics have highlighted the drastic scale of the cuts to local government transport budgets under SNP rule.

The statistics show that since 2007/2008 local government transport spending has faced a real terms cumulative loss of nearly £2 billion as a result of the SNP forcing Tory austerity on Scotland’s councils and increasing ring-fencing.

Local government is estimated to have a road repair backlog of up to £1.8 billion and several councils are struggling to deliver basic services such as fixing potholes.

Local MSP for Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven and Helensburgh Jackie Baillie MSP is calling for a fair deal for local authorities in this year’s budget. However the budget statement has been roundly condemned by groups, including COSLA, who have stated that the budget as proposed means more and deeper cuts to local government.

Commenting, local Dumbarton Constituency MSP Jackie Baillie said:

“Over the last 13 years the SNP has failed to invest in Scotland’s local authorities and has, in recent years, passed on and amplified Tory austerity to West Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Councils.

“Both councils are at breaking point and our roads and bus networks are in a shocking state due to SNP neglect and mismanagement.

“So far it seems the SNP has no intention of providing Scotland’s local authorities with the funding they badly need to keep Scotland moving.

“I will fight throughout this year’s budget process for a fair deal for West Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Councils and for investment in Scotland’s transport network.”

~ENDS~

Notes To Editor:

Source: Source: Department for Transport,Transport Statistics Great Britain, TSGB1302 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/transport-expenditure-tsgb13