Neil Bibby MSP says Scottish Government must help Inverclyde

As I have said many times before in the Tele, it is vital that this budget gives a fair deal for Inverclyde.

Households here need support in the midst of a cost of living crisis.

But we also need to see the safeguarding of local services and jobs and ensure Inverclyde Council is adequately funded.

Local public services have been cut back to the bone as a result of years of austerity.

After previously proposing a council tax hike of 22.5 per cent, the Scottish Government are set to put forward a council tax freeze.

But we’ve been here before when the Scottish Government appears to give help with one hand but take away support with the other.

That’s what happened previously when the government in Edinburgh failed to properly fund their tax policies and left local councils like Inverclyde with huge financial black holes to fill.

We know the vital services the council supports, education, social care, leisure facilities and libraries to name a few, and this loss of funding to these services could spell devastating consequences for the local residents that rely on them.

Indeed Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe has warned history may repeat itself again. He said: ‘If we don’t have the resources, we cut services and we cut jobs, that’s the simple reality of it’.

We also need support for Inverclyde’s economy too. Ironic when a major reason for the Scottish Government’s declining budget is the poor performance of the Scottish economy on their watch.

Following significant job losses at Amazon, Wilko and Berry BPI, cross party calls have been made for economic investment. This case has been made. It’s time for the Scottish Government to finally deliver on that and new ferry contracts needed at Ferguson’s.

The budget must bring hope to people, such as those of Inverclyde, considering the current economic climate and cost of living.

To do that, it’s time to see real action and a budget that supports the people of Inverclyde.