COSLA hits back at criticism over council borrowing levels

摘要

The main body representing Scottish councils has defended local authorities' record levels of debt and insisted they are managing their borrowing 'prudently'. Corporate director of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Brenda Campbell, argued the £15bn of debt, which has surged in the past eight years, was necessary to ensure 'investment in the vital services provided by them to local communities'. Scottish councils owe more than twice as much per head than English and Welsh local authorities. The amount of borrowing is equal to debts of £6,166 per household, compared with £3,100 per home in England and £2,825 per household in Wales. But Ms Campbell said local government in Scotland could not be compared with other parts of the United Kingdom because of the different services delivered and funding structure.