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Local services will be cut or reduced without extra funding from the Scottish Government, council leaders have warned.
Council leaders are demanding SNP ministers hand over £16 billion for day-to-day services with next year’s budget labelled “a pivotal moment” in securing the sustainability of local services.
SNP finance secretary will deliver her draft budget on January 13, delayed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ late autumn statement.
Council services are at risk without extra funding from the Scottish Government | Getty ImagesFunding for local councils has previously led to political rows amid claims the Scottish Government has presided over a real-terms cut to funding over the past decade. Since 2011, an estimated £5 billion of cuts and savings have been made by Scottish councils.
Cosla, the umbrella organisation for Scottish councils, has called for £16bn in revenue funding to be agreed in the budget, as well as £844 million for general capital projects.
The organisation is also requesting SNP ministers, who have faced severe Westminster cuts to capital spending and financial transactions that fund housebuilding, to restore the affordable housing supply programme to £955m, to make improvements to and increase the number of council-owned homes.
Cosla has today launched a lobbying campaign, urging the Scottish Government to use the Scottish budget to provide councils with the fair, sustainable and multi-year funding needed to protect essential local services.
SNP finance secretary Shona RobisonIn the current 2025/26 financial year, council tax was used as a lever to address funding gaps for local authorities. Whilst still being amongst the lowest in the UK, an average 8.9 per cent rise across Scotland provided £258m of extra cash.
The organisation has argued that without urgent action in next month’s budget, councils will be unable to maintain services such as social care, education, housing support, roads, and community safety at a level the public expect.
Cosla resources spokesperson Ricky Bell said: “Scotland’s councils deliver the services that people rely on every single day — from caring for older and vulnerable people to keeping schools open, streets safe and communities thriving.
“Councils are facing greater demand than ever and are required to do more with significantly less. This is unsustainable.”
He added: “The upcoming Scottish budget is a pivotal moment. The Scottish Government must deliver a settlement that matches the scale of the challenge.
“Without fair funding, communities will see services reduced and inequalities deepen, and we will struggle to meet national targets in key areas such as child poverty, housing, and net zero”
Cosla has warned that councils continue to face rising inflation, increasing demand for services, and the continued impact of workforce pressures across social care and education with a warning that maintaining current services requires substantial extra investment.
The organisation has called for an immediate £750m of investment for social care services as part of the £16bn demand, flexibility for councils to make local decisions that respond to needs and a recognition of local government as an equal partner in delivering national priorities for the Scottish Government.
Cosla president Shona Morrison, said: “Councils work tirelessly to deliver for Scotland’s communities, however, continued pressure on resources makes this increasingly challenging.
Cosla president Shona Morrison. Picture: Cosla“This is about safeguarding what matters most, support for the most vulnerable, opportunities for young people, support for families, and safe, thriving communities.
“We hope the budget will reflect the vital role local government plays in Scotland’s public services.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Local government is a crucial partner in helping to deliver better outcomes for the people of Scotland. That is why we have provided councils with a record £15.1bn this year, a real terms increase of 5.5 per cent.
“The Scottish budget will be published on 13 January.”