MSP Gil Paterson: Councils in Clydebank and Milngavie bolstered by Scottish Government budget

COMMUNITIES in Clydebank are set to benefit from extra funding after the first phase of the Scottish budget was passed.

Gil Paterson MSP welcomed the £2.7 million boost to West Dunbartonshire Council’s coffers for 2017-18, and £3.2 million for East Dunbartonshire..

He also thanked the government for the £200 million investment to expand the Golden Jubilee National Hospital.

The second phase of the budget comes on Wednesday, February 8 as it gets scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament’s finance committee.

Former Better Together allies Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrats joined forces again to oppose the Scottish Government’s plans.

However, the Scottish Greens voted with the SNP in the Scottish Parliament to approve the first phase of the Budget Bill.

Mr Paterson said: “The additional funding to East and West Dunbartonshire councils from the SNP government will certainly help maintain frontline services.

"It was tragic to see the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems reignite their toxic pact from their Better Together days.

 “It’s hard to believe they voted against £200 million expansion of the Golden Jubilee Hospital, £1 billion for mental health services and £55 million into the regeneration of disadvantaged communities – along with other incredibly important provisions.

“These political parties are more interested in point scoring than finding consensus with Scotland’s government.

“However, there’s still time for the likes of regional MSPs Maurice Golden, Maurice Corry, Jamie Greene, Mary Fee and Neil Bibby — who are meant to represent West Dunbartonshire — to change their tune and help the Scottish Government get on with the job of running the country. They have to back the Budget Bill when it comes back to the Scottish Parliament for its third phase.”
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ENDS