East Lothian Labour Councillors and council candidates took their campaign against SNP cuts and for the protection of East Lothian’s services out to the public over the weekend.

They were on high streets across the county collecting signatures for a new petition opposing the proposed £7 million cut in East Lothian’s revenue support from the SNP Government.

Led by Councillor Willie Innes, the Labour Party in East Lothian is clear that it will protect local services from SNP cuts, but this becomes harder every year as the funding the Council receives from the Scottish Government is reduced.

Cllr Willie Innes said:

“East Lothian Council is facing a £7 million cut in its budget for 2017/18. This follows another substantial cut in last year’s budget. We have done our very best to protect vital frontline services from these cuts, but with such large funding reductions coming year after year, it’s inevitable that the Council’s budget is now under great strain.

“SNP Ministers simply cannot keep cutting our funding and expect us to maintain the same level of service. It’s time for them to stop these cuts and start providing fair funding for councils to allow us to properly protect our essential public services.”

The petition opposing the budget cuts can be signed online at www.change.org/p/protect-our-services-stop-the-snp-s-7-million-cut-to-east-lothian-s-budget or email Labour@Stronger4EastLothian.org to be sent a hard copy.