Regular readers of the Glasgow Times will by now, I’m sure, be aware of the perilous state our City’s finances are in. Whether it’s Glasgow Life-run facilities that remain shuttered, bin collections that have been pushed back - or missed entirely - or the growing frustration about the state of the City’s streets.

Those readers will find little comfort in the SNP’s budget announced last week. A settlement that not only means a real terms cut to Local Government, but also fails to provide support for the National Insurance rise. A cost that alone is estimated to cost Glasgow £7million.

That represents more than the total cost of re-opening all our libraries, reversing three-weekly bin collections and scrapping bulk uplift charges, put together.

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But, perhaps most significantly of all: this inadequate budget was already out of date by the time that Kate Forbes sat down.

Almost literally moments later, the Scottish Government started to issue non-binding, but “not optional”, guidance to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant.

We have to do everything we can to protect the NHS and save lives. That will mean being more careful this Christmas. Another year of sacrifice on our part is difficult, but ultimately necessary.

That means that the office parties that would troop through Glasgow’s many restaurants and pubs won’t be there. Friends who would catch up after a hard year at the Christmas market, and then onto dinner, won’t go. Families who would take a break after Christmas shopping, might forgo it entirely and opt for online shopping instead.

All for a second year in a row.

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The First Minister is keen to point out that she is not telling any business to close. She’s just asking no-one to go to them.

This halfway house is dangerous for public health, for business, and for our City’s economy.

Which brings me back to the budget. Our City is the driving force of the Scottish economy. When Glasgow does well, Scotland does well.

These restrictions by the back door will cost the night time economy in Glasgow. The Scottish Government has announced a one-off funding pot of £100million across Scotland. We could easily spend that in Glasgow alone, but obviously we can’t.

The SNP-Green Government at Holyrood needs to step up. If the priority is to protect public health, as it should be, then the jobs that are put at risk by these announcements need even greater support now.

And the Government should examine its offer to Glasgow. The current settlement means more reductions in services. And not a single penny more to rebuild from the pandemic.

In 2017, the SNP in Glasgow were elected on a promise. That was to “build a constructive relationship with the Scottish Government - one that actually delivers the best results for Glasgow”.

Community centres across the City remain closed. Third Sector and voluntary organisations receive less funding and support from the Council. Bin collections take longer than before - if they happen. The litter and rubbish on our streets is now a daily frustration.

And now jobs are being put at risk.

Are these truly the ‘best results’ for Glasgow?

I think not, Glasgow deserves so much better.