SNP must support councils hit by Icelandic banking collapse

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

SNP must support councils hit by Icelandic banking collapse - McInnes

November 8, 2008 6:29 PM
Originally published by Alison McInnes

Alison McInnes MSP

Liberal Democrat Local Government spokesperson and North East Scotland MSP Alison McInnes has today (Saturday 8th November) received the backing of Dundee LibDems in challenging SNP First Minister Alex Salmond at FMQs to provide support for those councils suffering as a result of the collapse of Icelandic banks.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said, "The First Minister has yet again failed to offer any real support for local authorities in Scotland. Alex Salmond is always quick to pass the buck to Westminster but on this issue his Government can offer support to Scotland's local authorities.

"While financial regulation is a UK Government responsibility, local government is the responsibility of Scottish Ministers.

"The Minister for Local Government in England has given assurances that any local authorities facing severe short term financial difficulties will be offered assistance, why can't the First Minister do the same?"

Dundee LibDem City Council Group Leader, Cllr Fraser Macpherson, added, "Alex Salmond is failing on this issue, just as he is now failing with the Scottish electorate."