Edinburgh campaigners project anti-cuts message onto key buildings in Capital

ANTI-POVERTY campaigners projected messages onto key council and government buildings in Edinburgh to highlight the millions of pounds of cuts the Capital is facing.

The possibility of 'Another Edinburgh' was projected onto the City Chambers

The group, Another Edinburgh Is Possible, which brings together council workers, trade unionists and community activists, also staged a socially-distanced protest outside the City Chambers ahead of yesterday's full council meeting, calling for the cuts to be halted.

Their message was earlier projected onto the City Chambers, but also the council’s offices at Waverley Court, the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government offices at Victoria Quay in Leith.

Campaigner Willie Black said the council had already identified over £80 million of savings for 2020/21, but had to find at least another £5.1m because of the extra costs and lower income resulting from the pandemic.

The anti-cuts message was taken to the council offices at Waverley Court

Over the next three years, the council has identified £40m of savings, but needs to find at least a further £47.5m in savings or service cuts.

Meanwhile, the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, through which the council and the NHS run the city’s health and social care, has already agreed cuts of £8m.

Mr Black said: “Since 2012/13, Edinburgh City Council budget cuts have amounted to £320 million. Year on year cuts – so-called savings – have resulted in a hollowing out of jobs and services to Edinburgh residents.

“These cuts have had a terrible effect on essential services. The most vulnerable, who have also been hit by cuts in social security benefits, have suffered most.

The campaigners' protest appeared in lights on the Scottish Parliament

"Edinburgh has the lowest expenditure per capita on local services in Scotland. Covid-19 has added to an already bleak picture with increases in unemployment, child poverty and mental distress. The pandemic has shone a harsh light on the gaps in local services and underlined the importance of key workers and health, social care, housing and education.

"Enough is enough. We call on councillors to unite with campaigners to argue the case for properly funded, democratically controlled local public services that meet local needs.”

Finance convener Rob Munn said he understood and sympathised with those expressing concerns about the financial challenges facing not just Edinburgh but all local authorities.

"We’re currently seeking as many citizens’ views as possible through an online survey to help us in our budget-setting process and I’d urge everyone to have their say if they haven’t already done so. We remain fully committed to our core priorities of tackling poverty and inequality, boosting sustainability and promoting wellbeing and will use these, as well as feedback from residents, to guide and shape our budget deliberations in the new year.”

The message was also projected onto the Scottish Government building at Victoria Quay

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