This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8506715.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
SNP 'mounting services assault' Council cash agreed amid cuts row
(about 16 hours later)
Labour has accused the Scottish government of the "biggest assault on local services" since Margaret Thatcher was in power. Parliament has agreed a £12bn package to fund councils over the year ahead, but the move came amid a row over local authority spending cuts.
The comments came as MSPs were due to endorse detailed spending allocations for Scotland's 32 local authorities. Labour claimed local authorities would have to make reductions of £300m under a requirement to make efficiencies.
Labour claimed Scotland's councils would have to make £300m of cuts, as they made efficiency savings. Ministers said the claim was ludicrous, adding that the councils would benefit from an increasing share of spending.
Ministers said the claim was ludicrous, adding that councils would benefit from an increasing share of spending. Cash was provided to freeze council tax and a £5m pot to repair roads damaged during the recent winter freeze.
Labour's claim came after a survey of councils, with the party saying some were contemplating cuts in front-line services. Finance Secretary John Swinney also said the 32 councils could borrow £65m to settle outstanding equal pay cases and added that, because of a 2010 revaluation of rate relief, almost 60% of businesses would see their bills cut from April.
'Factually incorrect' Budget 'slashed'
But Labour accused the Scottish government of the "biggest assault on local services" since Margaret Thatcher was in power.
The party said that, after survey of councils, some were contemplating cuts in front-line services.
Labour said examples included South Ayrshire Council having to cut employment costs to save £7m, while West Dunbartonshire was considering plans to close four libraries and remove specialist primary school teachers.Labour said examples included South Ayrshire Council having to cut employment costs to save £7m, while West Dunbartonshire was considering plans to close four libraries and remove specialist primary school teachers.
Labour local government spokesman Michael McMahon, said: "Finance Secretary John Swinney is behaving like the SNP's Mr Bumble, putting local authorities on starvation rations. Ministers said councils' share of the central pot had increased year-on-year since the SNP administration set its first budget, while it had declined under Labour.
"Councils are being forced to make cuts in core areas such as education, social work, library provision and road repairs." The Scottish government also argued Scotland's budget would be slashed by more than £814.4m next year, as a result of UK government spending cuts.
But the Scottish government said councils' share of the central pot had increased year-on-year since the SNP administration set its first budget, while it had declined under Labour.
"Labour's claims are factually incorrect and grossly hypocritical," said a spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond.
"Thanks to cuts being imposed by the UK Labour government, Scotland's budget will be slashed by over £814.4m next year alone."