A scheme providing free iPads and laptops to people who are “digitally excluded” is to be suspended to help cover the cost of council pay deals, it has been reported.
The scheme was arranged during the Covid pandemic to help more people get online and more than 60,000 devices have been distributed to households since it started.
The project, which was set up to help people get online during the Covid pandemic, has delivered free internet access and more than 61,000 devices since 2020.
The Connecting Scotland project has been managed by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).
It mainly issued Chromebooks and iPads to people from vulnerable and low income groups who have no access to a digital device.
While the SCVO delivered previous project phases, it said it had not been involved in planning the future programme linked to the £10m saving.
In addition, Ms Robison proposes diverting £26m from the Flood Risk Management Programme, on the basis the money is not needed by councils this year.
The move comes after environmental charities expressed disappointment over cash set aside for restoring nature also being released to pay for the wage settlements.
The finance secretary said diverting the funding was “not a decision we have taken lightly”.
Ms Robison also proposes that £2m is released from the funding for extending free school meals to pupils in P6 and P7 whose families receive the Scottish Child Payment.
The finance secretary has announced spending controls across government departments.
She said this was due to public sector pay deals, and uncertainty over this year's budget as a result of the chancellor's announcement of a spending audit.
She is due to make a statement setting out further details when MSPs return to Holyrood next week.
The Unite and GMB trade unions have recommended members accept the offer from council body Cosla but Unison has recommended members reject it, arguing the proposed rise is not enough.
An extra £34.5m of funding will be provided by the Scottish government towards the pay offer.
A spokesperson for local government body Cosla said: “Intense but constructive discussions between Cosla, Trade Unions and Scottish government resulted in additional funding for pay.
“It would not be appropriate to comment on the decisions made by government to enable additional funding for public sector pay settlements.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is taking on significant additional financial pressure to fund this pay rise and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance has been clear that painful choices have had to be made. These decisions will be set out fully in due course.
“Ministers are committed to prioritising the reinstatement of funding in next year’s budget and remain focused on delivering on the priorities set out by the First Minister across all portfolios.
“We know the vital role local government employees play in delivering local services which are valued by the public. This pay offer demonstrates just how much we value these workers too.
“It will provide an above-inflation pay increase for all council employees and ensure the most support is focused on the lowest paid. Ministers hope that members of GMB, Unison and Unite will vote to accept it.”
Funding for Digital Devices Will Be Replaced
Funding for digital devices and the other programmes is expected to be replaced in 2025/26.
A Painful Decision
A spokesperson added: “The Cabinet Secretary for Finance has been clear that painful choices have had to be made.
“These decisions will be set out fully in due course.”
