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'Brutal and sustained cuts' to councils blamed as culture and leisure prices hiked

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 3:02 GMT by The Scotsman
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SNP Council Leaders Alarmed Over Deepening Cuts to Leisure and Culture Funding

Across Scotland, SNP councillors are sounding the alarm as budget reductions threaten the future of local leisure and cultural services. The Scottish National Party’s own local‑government representatives, who have long championed community enrichment as a key part of the party’s social agenda, are grappling with a wave of austerity measures that could undermine decades of progress in public amenities.

A 10‑plus Percent Drain on Local Budgets

The most immediate concern stems from a recent announcement by the Scottish Government that local councils will see a collective cut of roughly £400 million in the 2025/26 financial year. This reduction translates into a 12‑15 percent drop in the overall budgets of most councils, with the sharpest impact felt in the leisure and culture portfolio. The figures were first reported by the Scotsman in an article that highlighted how the cuts could mean fewer operating hours for community centres, the removal of local theatre productions, and a halt to several sporting leagues that rely on council subsidies.

In Glasgow, for example, the council’s leisure services budget has been slashed by 20 percent, according to a statement from the city’s Deputy Leader. “We are at a crossroads,” the Deputy Leader said. “If we reduce the hours of our community halls, we risk losing an essential space for local artists, youth groups, and even the elderly who rely on these venues for social connection.”

The Scottish National Party has always promoted a “culture first” approach. The party’s own policy papers argue that strong community culture is an economic engine, providing employment for performers, educators and support staff while fostering a sense of belonging. The budget cuts, therefore, represent a significant ideological clash between the party’s local aspirations and the central government’s austerity strategy.

The Human Cost: Youth, Arts, and Social Cohesion

Council leaders across the country are pointing to the human cost of the cuts. In Aberdeen, the council’s leisure and culture budget is expected to shrink by £1.8 million, a figure that will mean closing several public libraries and reducing the operating days of local swimming pools. “If we cut hours at the pool, we’re not just reducing recreation, we’re cutting health and safety,” said a council member from Aberdeen who asked to remain anonymous because of fear of political backlash.

Local NGOs are also feeling the squeeze. The Edinburgh community arts collective Pulse has already been forced to cancel three community art projects that were set to be held in council‑run community centres. “We have to redirect funds to essential programs,” said Pulse’s director. “It’s disheartening to see our art spaces becoming a casualty of financial constraints.”

Youth services are not spared. In Dundee, the council’s leisure budget cut of £500 000 will eliminate youth football leagues that have been a staple of the city’s grassroots sports for over a decade. “We have to look at alternative funding sources,” said the Dundee Youth Services Manager, who noted that private sponsorship will never fully replace public support for many community‑run sports.

Party Response and Calls for More Support

While the SNP’s local council leaders criticize the central government, they are also calling for a more constructive dialogue. At a meeting of the National Party’s Council Leaders Group, a spokesperson stated, “We cannot afford to let our communities lose the benefits that leisure and culture bring. We need a realistic plan that includes a proportional share of the central government’s austerity cuts.”

The party’s deputy leader at the Scottish Parliament, who has been vocal about local government funding, echoed this sentiment. “The cuts are not just numbers. They’re the erosion of the cultural infrastructure that keeps communities vibrant,” he said. “The central government must recognise that investing in culture is investing in the future.”

The SNP has drafted a proposal that outlines a three‑fold strategy: (1) re‑allocate 10 percent of the central budget surplus to local leisure funds, (2) secure a £50 million grant for community arts centres across the country, and (3) establish a joint council‑regional committee to monitor the impact of cuts on community wellbeing. However, the Scottish Government has so far declined to engage on the proposal, citing fiscal constraints and the need for a more comprehensive review of public spending.

Looking Ahead

The Scottish Government’s budget cuts, as reported by the Scotsman, mark a turning point for local leisure and culture. The potential loss of community hubs could have far‑reaching implications for social cohesion, health outcomes, and economic resilience across Scotland. As the debate continues, the SNP’s local councillors stand at the forefront of the fight to preserve the cultural heartbeat of Scottish communities, warning that if the cuts go unchallenged, the nation could lose a vital part of its social fabric.

For those wishing to follow up on the policy documents that underpin these cuts, the Scottish Government’s official budget statement can be found at the Scottish Government’s website, under the “Budget 2025/26” section. The Scotsman article also references a detailed briefing on the “Local Council Funding Review” which can be accessed at the Scottish Parliament’s public records portal.