Stevenson Welcomes Increase in Funding for Aberdeenshire and Moray

Stewart Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s increase in funding to Aberdeenshire and Moray councils as a further demonstration of the SNP’s commitment to his constituency.

The Local Government Finance Order agreed by Parliament on Thursday delivers an additional £107m to local government in Scotland – and shows that the budget allocated to Aberdeenshire Council has risen from £406.050 million in 2014/15 to £414.723 million in 2015/16, and to Moray Council from £154.552 million to £160.328 million over the same time frame.

This package includes funding to maintain the council tax freeze for another year, maintain teacher numbers at 2014/15 levels, to mitigate the Bedroom Tax and to provide free school meals for children in P1-3.

Mr Stevenson said:

“This latest funding boost from the Scottish Government will be welcomed by people across Aberdeenshire and Moray and is another example of the SNP’s commitment to investment in our vital public services.

“The SNP in government is providing a fair deal for local government and is delivering on key policies benefiting local people – from the council tax freeze which is protecting family budgets during tough economic times to free school meals to give our youngest pupils the best possible start in life.

“This funding will also see the number of teachers in Aberdeenshire and Moray maintained at current levels – and will keep people across my constituency protected against the imposition of Westminster’s Bedroom Tax.

“The Scottish Government will continue to work alongside our partners in local government to deliver the best possible deal for people in Scotland – and to protect our public services as much as possible from the austerity agenda being imposed by Westminster.”