30.03.1995

Council robbery

DUNDEE Labour Party has announced its election pledges for April 6. Top of the list is a commitment to a minimum wage - but only for workers employed by companies the council deals with. As far as we know, it is not the £275 per week that every worker needs as a minimum to lead a civilised life style. In fact Labour is keeping quiet about an actual figure. My guess is, if it ever sees the light of day, it will be no higher than the inadequate wage level presently paid to many council staff.

It is all hogwash to disguise the fact that the council budget is too low to provide the necessary services. Take the dispute on Tayside council last Thursday. Labour councillor Mike Barr rose from his sick bed to make possible the defeat of the SNP budget proposal to cut social services by £1.5 million.

Money will now be taken from the roads department’s reserve fund.

Ewan Dow for the SNP commented that Labour’s action had taken the councils reserves to their lowest-ever point and he predicted this could cause problems in funding school staffing and police pay restructuring. They are all at it: robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Phil Kent