Yestarday's dramatic council budget meeting saw a significant degree of co-operation between opposition parties in putting forward a combined alternative budget for Glasgow.

SNP Group leader Allison Hunter commented on the SNP's contribution to the combined budget. Speaking in advance of the meeting, she said: "The SNP's budget amendments will move Glasgow forward by proposing investment in carers, jobs, and education.  We have identified £2million to invest in a future jobs fund, which will provide work placements in local companies at the living wage.  These placements will be focused on improving the fabric of our local communities throughout Glasgow that for too long have been ignored under this current administration.

"We want to see investment in our school infrastructure.  Our funds would be targeted prudently over time, rather than thrown at problems in a haphazard way at short notice.  We want condition surveys carried out on all Glasgow Primary, Early Years and ASL schools to establish the full scale of Labour's legacy.

"The SNP believes carers have been failed for too long by Labour, so we will move for a carers champion to be appointed to ensure Labour Council policies do not betray them anymore.  We will move for additional investment of 10% year-on-year for two years in carers centres, to back up support to carers.

"Glasgow’s roads require investment and the SNP will lever in £16 million to reconstruct some of Glasgow’s worst roads.  Labour’s cuts to the roads budget over the past decade have left a legacy which we can all see today.  An SNP budget will start to resolve the problems Labour have caused.

"An SNP administration will be focused on improving Glasgow’s poor attainment levels within our schools.  To start to address this we have budgeted for a hit squad of 15 teachers to work within our schools with the specific focus of raising attainment.

"The SNP has identified capital savings of £500k in the Council’s Tomorrow’s Office budget.  Whilst Labour want to waste money on new chairs we would rather see Councillors simply keep using the chairs we already have – the SNP will focus on creating opportunities, looking after our most vulnerable and raising attainment in our schools."

Note:

The SNP Group's contribution to the combined budget can be downloaded here.