John Swinney has found another £100m for councils to go towards pay increases for non-teaching staff in the budget.
The Deputy First Minister made the announcement as the budget passed the final stage at Holyrood.
He said extra cash was available after extra money came from the UK Treasury in Barnett spending consequentials, where Scotland gets a share of money spent by the UK Government in England.
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Swinney said: “I hope this additional funding will enable a swift agreement in the Scottish Joint Council pay negotiations so that relevant staff receive a pay increase as early as possible in 2023-24.”
He said the total cash for councils now means a 3% real terms increase on last year's budget.
Glasgow City Council will get a share of the cash but it is not yet known exactly how much or what it means to the city’s budget, which passed last week with almost £50m of cuts.
Susan Aitken the leader of Glasgow City Council said it will help with rising costs faced by the council for staffing.
Aitken said: “This is a really welcome decision which gives councils some much-needed breathing space as we look towards a pay deal for staff next year.
“Wages have been the single biggest cost pressure Glasgow has faced this year and the SNP both here and in Holyrood has recognised the need to give staff a decent pay rise during this cost-of-living crisis.”
Aitken said she and city Treasurer, Richard Bell has made representations to the Scottish Government on the pressures facing the council.
She added: “Just as councils across the country are, it’s clear from Mr Swinney’s statement that the Scottish Government is operating in an incredibly difficult financial context, with competing pressures not of their making but with needs to be met.
“I have made my views known to Scottish ministers about the budgetary pressures Glasgow faces. But as difficult as these weeks have been, I’d like to thank Mr Swinney for listening to our concerns and responding positively. I will always insist on more for Glasgow but in a constructive way that can deliver results.”
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