Title

FINANCE

Scots councils to get COVID cash top up

The Scottish Parliament has agreed to top up its funding to councils to deal with the coronavirus crisis.

The Scottish Parliament has agreed to top up its funding to councils to deal with the coronavirus crisis.

Almost £258m additional funding has been approved, while a further £72m is currently under discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). This will bring the total COVID-19 funding for Scottish councils to almost £330m.

Public finance minister Ben Macpherson said: ‘We have taken exceptional measures in every area of government as we deal with the challenges of COVID-19 - and that is particularly clear in our support for local services.

‘To date, Scotland's councils have received £405 million in advanced payments this financial year, and by the end of July this will have risen to £455 million.

‘The Scottish Government has also relaxed current guidance on some of the education grants to allow additional resource to be diverted to the COVID-19 response.'

‘We will continue to work with COSLA and local authorities, as well as pressing the UK Government for urgent additional funding and flexibility for our partners in local government.'

FINANCE

New rent regime gives welcome certainty

By Abdool Kara | 18 July 2025

Abdool Kara says tfor housing associations and local authorities that own stock, the announcement of a 10-year commitment to a rent regime of the Consumer Pr...

FINANCE

New interim chief joins London borough

By Martin Ford | 18 July 2025

Paul Martin has been named interim chief executive at Newham LBC.

FINANCE

Expecting the unexpected

By Stephen Gaskell | 17 July 2025

Five years on from the easing of Covid restrictions, Stephen Gaskell says the sector proved that without local government, the crisis would have hit places m...

FINANCE

Budget problem? Ask FRED

By Cllr Rowan Ree | 17 July 2025

Using data and the latest technology is helping Hammersmith and Fulham LBC save money to fund vital local services, and is the latest step in the council’s a...

Heather Jameson

Popular articles by Heather Jameson