'IN the coming weeks we will hear more and more about the cuts to Fife Council budgets. Councillors are struggling to balance the competing demands placed on services whilst at the same time working with a huge cut in funding from the Government in Edinburgh.

The SNP Finance Secretary is saying that, all things considered, councils are getting the best deal they can in this climate of austerity. However, councils across Scotland argue that they have had to take a disproportionate level of cuts to pass on to local communities and local services.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has said that local council budgets have fallen by £590 million across Scotland over the last five years with Fife, Scotland’s third largest authority, taking a big hit from this. Over the last five years more than 2,500 jobs have gone in Fife Council, and we can all see the impact of cuts in many of the services we once took for granted.

I have made the point many times in the Parliament chamber that there is no point in MSPs campaigning against closures and cuts in council services, when those cuts have been made necessary by them voting in the Parliament to cut council budgets.

It is very clear that we cannot continue to deliver the same level of public services, invest in local communities and address the increasing failings in our education system unless we are prepared to find additional money. I believe we need to have a discussion across Scotland about how we pay for services. It is also clear that those who rely on Council services are least able to find the money to pay new or increased charges, meaning that they and their families pay the price for government austerity.

The SNP budget has brought in limited tax increases, the Greens support this budget, and the Tories want to cut taxes for the better-off. Labour would create a more equal tax system where those on higher incomes pay a bit more in order to fund the public services which make our communities fairer, safer, better educated and cared for.

So at least we have the beginning of a debate; and an acceptance by all parties in the Scottish Parliament that there will need to be changes in tax. I believe in the principle that those who have the most pay a little bit more than those who don’t to create a fairer society for everyone'.