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.'

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