£12.5 billion for Scottish local councils

Details have been published of how the £12.5 billion in Scottish Government funding for 2022/23 will be distributed to local authorities.

The settlement represents a total cash increase of £917.9 million or 7.9 per cent, which is the equivalent of a real terms rise of 5.1 per cent to support vital local government services. It includes a real terms increase in day-to-day revenue funding of 4.9 per cent, compared with the 2021/22 draft budget.

Additionally, the Scottish Government has responded to requests by councils for more financial flexibility by enabling them to make their own local decisions on council tax.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said: “The 2022/23 Budget confirms that, even in the face of the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, we are providing councils with a real terms increase to their budgets for the coming year of more than five per cent.

“Local authorities are key partners with government as we tackle the pandemic and protect our communities, businesses and public services. As we move forward, they will play an important leadership role in creating a greener, fairer and more prosperous Scotland.

“This settlement reflects that and includes protection to the core budget in cash terms, an extra £554 million for health and social care, £145 million for additional teachers and support staff and £94 million to support the expansion of free school meals. I have been clear that this Budget has required difficult choices. But I am determined that councils should be fairly funded within the limited resources we have available.”