EXTRA £2.812M FOR DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL IN BUDGET DEAL

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South Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine has welcomed an agreement to pass the Scottish Government budget that will see Dumfries and Galloway receive an additional £2.812m in the next year.

The amended budget will also see the Scottish Government take the radical step of introducing free bus travel for those aged 18 and under from January 2021.

Police will benefit from a total uplift of £60 million in the next financial year, with £13m of additional investment in frontline services and a further £5m of additional capital investment, on top of the £42m already committed.

Commenting, Ms McAlpine said:

“This SNP budget invests a record £15bn in health and care services, delivers Scotland’s unique child payment to lift our youngest out of poverty and supports Scotland’s world-leading efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

“The Scottish Government had already backed Police Scotland with a budget increase of £42m. That will now increase that support to £60m overall with £50m of investment for frontline services.

“Dumfries and Galloway will benefit from our share of an extra £95m for local government – with an extra £2.812m of investment.

“We have made significant investments to tackle the climate crisis, with funding for a green deal, low carbon travel and £1.8bn of low emission infrastructure.

“The introduction of free bus travel for those aged 18 and under will make an enormous difference to young people – and alongside the £500 million bus infrastructure fund will help deliver a step change in the use of public transport.

“This budget is a good deal for Dumfries and Galloway and a good deal for Scotland – and I’m delighted it is now set to receive the support of the Scottish Parliament.

“In light of the Scottish Government’s willingness to compromise on issues identified by all parties, I hope every party can get behind the budget tomorrow.”