Coronavirus Scotland: Three Scots councils top UK table of areas financially worst affected by Covid-19 pandemic
THREE Scottish council areas top a league table of areas financially worst affected by the pandemic.
Research suggests Covid-19 has cost Highland more per head of population than any other UK local authority.
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The cost of the infection to the council could run to £96.9m - the fourth worst total in the UK.
But the BBC research shows estimated shortfall at the council amounts to £411 for every resident, the highest rate in Britain.
Aberdeen is next with its potential worst-case shortfall of £82m - or £359 per resident.
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And Perth and Kinross comes third, with an estimated potential shortfall of £50m - or £329 for every resident.
The research looked at expected shortfalls and emergency grant funding received by councils across the UK.
Highland’s main income sources - tourist car parks, docking fees and the sale of marine fuel at 100 harbours - were cut to zero overnight due to the pandemic.
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Ed Foster, the council’s finance chief, said balancing its budget would not be possible “without shed loads of pain”.
The Scottish Government said councils had received an additional £150m in May, £255m in June and will get £50m in July.
A spokesperson said ministers would keep workjing with council umbrella body Cosla and local authorities, “as well as pressing the UK government for urgent additional funding and flexibility for our partners in local government”.
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