340 job cuts may harm the weak

Leading Catholic groups in Scotland fear looming cuts in public sector jobs and essential social services could disproportionately hit the weakest and most vulnerable in the community who can least afford to cope with the recession.

As the Scottish Parliament prepares this month to vote on £1.3 billion cuts in the budget bill, First Minister Alex Salmond has expressed a preference for councils to save jobs, admitting that ‘the 2.6 per cent decline in revenue funding for local government for next year is, of course, a very difficult settlement.

Meetings are being held throughout the country on proposed job, budget and service cuts. As the global recession hits regionally and locally, authorities across Scotland have begun to reveal the depth of the cuts being faced.

South Lanarkshire Council executive committee met late last month to find ways to cut £28 million from its budget and proposed a huge reduction in services. The council is considering cutting 340 jobs but the biggest savings come from service cuts.

From: Sco News