Commenting on the Scottish Government’s funding settlement for local government, Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson Jeremy Purvis said: “Today’s statement has less detail than last year, but did reveal that councils’ capital budgets would be slashed by £48 million.

“Last year John Swinney announced an indicative capital budget for this coming year of £993 million. Today the statement announces only £945 million for capital investment in local schools, roads, housing and flood prevention measures.Jeremy Purvis MSP

“Councils already have a big reduction in capital receipts and are being affected by the utter confusion over whether there is to be one penny of funding from the Scottish Futures Trust.

“To add a £48 million cut to the capital budget when the Scottish Government is saying that there should be accelerated capital investment beggars belief.

“Councils are being, once again, let down badly.”