The government needs to get its priorities straight

One of the challenges Scotland currently faces is that our public services are under pressure like never before, and people across our communities are feeling the effects.

- Claire Baker

Whether it's long waits for NHS treatment, the shortage of affordable homes, or cuts to council services, the strain is visible.

Figures published recently have underlined the scale of the financial challenge, and the impact of decisions which have been taken by the Scottish Government. Their own financial plans, the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, shows a £2.6 billion gap in resource spending by 2029-30, alongside a £2 billion gap in capital spend. To address this shortfall the SNP Government has indicated they plan to cut key public services and make reductions in frontline jobs. For households already struggling with the cost of living and stretched local services this is deeply worrying news. It raises the prospect of further reductions to health, education, housing, and council budgets, at a time when we can least afford it.