Scotland

• Scottish council chiefs warn cuts have left them ‘no room’ to manoeuvre

  Scottish local government leaders warn they have ‘no room left to manoeuvre’ as new figures reveal the extent of cuts to council budgets.

  

• Whitehall grabs £875m Right to Buy receipts

  Labour has demanded immediate Right to Buy (RTB) reforms after figures obtained by The MJ revealed the amount councils lose to Whitehall under the regime.

  

• Scottish council staff urged to reject ‘unacceptable’ pay offer

  A Scottish trade union has urged its members to reject the offer of a pay increase up to 3%.

  

• Scottish government under pressure over council pay

  Scotland’s Government is under pressure to reverse planned council budget cuts after MSPs warned ministers created an ‘expectation’ town hall staff would receive pay hikes.

  

• Unions call for 6.5% pay increase for Scottish council workers

  Trade unions representing local government workers across Scotland have called for a 6.5% pay rise for Scottish council workers.

  

• Scots Budget reveals plan to increase income tax bands

  The Scottish Government has unveiled a draft budget which raises income tax in a bid to raise an extra £164m to pay for public services.

  

• Participatory budgeting given go ahead in Scotland

  Residents in Scotland will be given a say in how £100m of council funds are to be used after a ‘landmark’ agreement was reached between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

  

• Holyrood introduces ‘first ever’ Islands Bill

  A bill dedicated to protecting the ‘unique needs’ of Scotland’s islands was introduced to the Scottish Parliament yesterday.