Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes condemns UK government over late budget date; accuses the Conservatives of 'complete disregard for the Highlands' as March 11 date causes big headache for Highland Council and other Scottish councils when setting council tax
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THE Conservative government’s decision not to set its budget until March 11 has been slammed by a Highland MSP - who has accused it of leaving councils in the dark when it comes to deciding their own financial plans for the year ahead.
March 11 is the same date that local authorities in Scotland must legally set their council tax.
And Kate Forbes, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has slammed the the UK government for such a “complete disregard” for the chaos its late budget date might cause to the Highlands.
The chancellor, Sajid Javid, has announced he will set out his tax and spending plans on March 11, and COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities), which represents all councils in Scotland, has already written to him warning of “catastrophic risks” to local authority services.
Kate Forbes said: “It is astonishing that the UK Government has finally confirmed the date for its long overdue budget as being March 11.
“That leaves less than a month for Highland Council, never mind the Scottish Government to respond and set a budget before the beginning of the tax year. Furthermore, it is the exact same date by which Highland Council has to legally set council tax.
“It shows the complete disregard the UK government has for Scotland, and indeed for the Highlands. Our public services, infrastructure and tax policies all depend on clarity from the UK government. Either the Tories don’t know or don’t care.
“This is an issue of major importance which goes well beyond politics or parliaments. It’s about people, who deserve a UK government that actually cares about the Highlands and about Scotland.”
