The leader of Scotland’s biggest council is spending more than £7000 going to Cop27 just days after the authority announced eye-watering budget cuts.
Glasgow City council’s Susan Aitken will travel to the climate event in a five-star resort in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on Tuesday with two officials for four nights.
The trio’s trip is to cost £7227 for flights, transfers and accommodation.
On Wednesday, councillors were told they face a deficit 10 times higher than last year, and are now looking at a shortfall of nearly £120million in their budget.Opponents have questioned the cost.
The mayor of the previous host city, Madrid, did not attend Cop26 last year and Katowice’s mayor did not go to Cop25 despite being the host the year before.
Scottish Labour’s finance spokesman Daniel Johnson said: “The SNP is frittering away eye-watering amounts of pounds of public money sending politicians on a jolly while cutting public services to the bone.
“Susan Aitken’s time would be better spent fixing the mess she has made of Glasgow’s environment after years of brutal cuts to city cleansing budgets. Tackling the climate emergency is essential, but change starts at home – not squandering public money and racking up emissions by jetting around the world.”
Scottish Lib Dem deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain said: “Politicians should be doing everything they can to combat the climate emergency. Ultimately, however, tackling the climate crisis is measured by strong environmental policies, rather than showing up for events.”
Nicola Sturgeon’s attendance in Egypt has also been questioned by opponents.
The Scottish Government was asked how much it would cost to send her, environment minister Mairi McAllan and staff but officials refused to provide details, citing security reasons, adding: Final costs and number of staff that attended will be available after the trip”.
Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative Shadow Net Zero Secretary, said: “People will wonder why Nicola Sturgeon – who has no real reason to go – is jetting off to Egypt while so many critical problems, such as ferries and dire NHS waiting times, need addressed at home.
“The very least the SNP Government could do is be up front with the public about how much taxpayers’ money is being shelled out.”
A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said Aitken was going to Cop27 as it was “important that our voice is heard” and claimed she would meet “major investors to discuss Glasgow’s transformation plans”.
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