SCOTTISH Greens should add an end to council austerity to their Budget wish-list, activists will argue at their conference this weekend.

Party members gathering in Greenock will consider a proposal from former party executive co-chairwoman Ellie Gomersall and Glasgow councillor Anthony Carroll proposing calling for the party to demand an end to council cuts in exchange for support for the SNP draft Budget on December 4. 

Arguing for an end to Green support for budgets which have slashed council spending, Ms Gomersall said: “Local authorities are on their knees.

“Councils all across the country are being forced to make huge cuts to vital services, from recycling to education, libraries to recreation.

“These essential services are critical to lifting people out of poverty and tackling the climate emergency, and simply must be a priority for Greens. 

Mr Carroll added: “Local government has been reduced to such a dangerous position, where over 14 years of austerity is seeing scores of councils across the UK being threatened with effective bankruptcy.

“We as Greens must make that stand for local government in this Budget, or see those consequences in our communities worsen.”