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SNP attacked over flooding cash Minister attacked over flood cash
(about 6 hours later)
Labour has accused the Scottish Government of leaving Scotland open to the risk of serious flooding.Labour has accused the Scottish Government of leaving Scotland open to the risk of serious flooding.
The claim follows moves to give local authorities more freedom over spending.The claim follows moves to give local authorities more freedom over spending.
Government cash is no longer being set aside specifically for flood defences, with councils being left to decide how money is allocated from general funds.Government cash is no longer being set aside specifically for flood defences, with councils being left to decide how money is allocated from general funds.
Labour urged the government to bring back the ring-fencing of flooding cash, but the SNP said it had increased spending on flood defences.Labour urged the government to bring back the ring-fencing of flooding cash, but the SNP said it had increased spending on flood defences.
Finance Secretary John Swinney gave councils more freedom over spending when he announced his budget last month.Finance Secretary John Swinney gave councils more freedom over spending when he announced his budget last month.
Labour's environment spokeswoman Sarah Boyack said the decision to end ring-fencing of cash for flood defence and prevention schemes showed the "lack of importance" placed on the issue by the government.Labour's environment spokeswoman Sarah Boyack said the decision to end ring-fencing of cash for flood defence and prevention schemes showed the "lack of importance" placed on the issue by the government.
There is no point having a national flood warning scheme if it's not backed by investment in flood protection Sarah BoyackLabour environment spokeswomanThere is no point having a national flood warning scheme if it's not backed by investment in flood protection Sarah BoyackLabour environment spokeswoman
"The SNP should put the ring-fence back on flood defence budgets and ensure that it gets proper priority," she said."The SNP should put the ring-fence back on flood defence budgets and ensure that it gets proper priority," she said.
"Otherwise ministers will be reduced to handing out sandbags to householders if Scotland gets hit by a major flood."Otherwise ministers will be reduced to handing out sandbags to householders if Scotland gets hit by a major flood.
"There is no point having a national flood warning scheme if it's not backed by investment in flood protection.""There is no point having a national flood warning scheme if it's not backed by investment in flood protection."
However, Environment Minister Mike Russell said spending on flood prevention schemes was set to increase by 41% in coming years. However, Environment Minister Mike Russell said: "The Scottish Government has announced funding totalling £126m for flood prevention schemes over the next three years."
"The Scottish Government has announced funding totalling £126m for flood prevention schemes over the next three years," he said. He said this 41% increase had been specified in the government's concordat with local government.
"It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate its total financial resources based on local needs and priorities, having fulfilled its statutory obligations and jointly agreed set of national and local priorities. He said: "This is a new deal between central and local government in Scotland, to ensure that the significant extra money that we are investing delivers on our shared objectives right across society, including the vital issue of flood defences.
"The Scottish Government is in discussion with Cosla on local outcome agreements for each of the 32 local authorities and is keen to ensure that flooding issues will be covered in these agreements." "That is why the Scottish Government is in discussion with Cosla on local outcome agreements for each of the 32 local authorities."