The Accounts Commission has published a stark warning about the state of council finances in Scotland. It warned that overall Scottish councils face a budget gap of around £529 million.
The Accounts Commission’s warning comes as the Scottish government embarks on a sweeping programme of ‘public service reform’, having published the Public Sector Reform Strategy in 2025.
We need an honest conversation about paying for public services. Decent services can be properly and fairly funded. The answer is not cuts and automation. A better, fairer Scotland must include standing up for local democracy – allowing local government its own freedoms and responsibilities. Giving councils more freedom would improve public finances, diversify the funding base and shift the focus from earned income to excess wealth.