Plan to slash funding for royal roles in Scotland on day before Queen's death (original) (raw)

An SNP plan to slash the funding for the monarch's personal representatives in Scotland was revealed to MSPs the day before Queen Elizabeth passed away at Balmoral.

The shock move was unveiled by Deputy First Minister John Swinney as part of the Scottish Government's drive to make around £500million of public sector funding cuts.

He outlined a raft of budget savings in a letter to a Holyrood committee on September 7, including cuts to "Scottish Lord-lieutenant activities". The administration said the proposed savings amounted to around £50,000 a year.

READ MORE: John Swinney admits that Scotland is 'absolutely central' in the United Kingdom

After the news was revealed by the Daily Record, opposition politicians said the Scottish public would be "shocked" to see the SNP Government attempting to plug holes in the public finances by cutting "crucial state functions".

A lord-lieutenant is the British monarch's personal representative in each lieutenancy area of the United Kingdom. These ancient districts are similar to the historic counties.

The Queen visited New Lanark in June 2000, and is pictured with Jim Arnold and then Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Gilbert Cox

The Queen visited New Lanark in June 2000, and is pictured with Jim Arnold and then Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Gilbert Cox (Image: Hamilton Advertiser)

South of the Border, they date back to Henry VIII and were first introduced in Scotland following the Act of Union. The Militia Act 1797 gave lord-lieutenants the power to raise and command county militia units – a right that remained in place until 1921.

Nowadays, of course, they have a purely ceremonial role and often host the monarch on state visits to their area, often supported by a vice lord-lieutenant and a number of deputies. They also make nominations for honours and awards and ensure the King’s Private Office is kept informed of issues relating to their area.

Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "Every stone should be turned to plug the hole in the SNP government's finances, but it cannot come at the expense of crucial state functions.

"The last weeks have shown us all, regardless of political opinion, the value of the monarchy and their important role in Scotland. It's time for John Swinney to wake up to the mess that his party has made of Scotland’s finances and act seriously to protect the people of Scotland."

Glasgow Provost Jacqueline McLaren signs book of memorial

Scottish Conservative royal spokeswoman Sharon Dowey added: "The extraordinary response to Her Majesty's passing over the last few days has revealed just how important the monarchy really is to the Scottish public. The Royal Family has a deep and loving relationship with Scotland, and many will be shocked to see that the SNP is contemplating budget cuts which may affect their work in the country.

"The SNP should urgently clarify whether they intend to go ahead with these cuts, after the recent outpouring of grief and affection for the late Queen Elizabeth has shown the continued strength of Scotland’s support for the monarchy."

Aberdeen - Barney Crockett

Aberdeenshire - Sandy Manson

Angus - Patricia Ann Sawers

Argyll and Bute - Jane Margaret MacLeod

Ayrshire and Arran - Iona McDonald

Banffshire - Andrew Simpson

Berwickshire - Jeanna Swan

Caithness - The Rt Hon The 3rd Viscount Thurso

Clackmannanshire - Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Stewart (Retd)

Dumfries - Lady MacGregor

Dunbartonshire - Jill Williamina Young

Dundee - Ian Borthwick

East Lothian - Roderick Urquhart

Edinburgh - Cllr Robert Aldridge, Lord Provost of Edinburgh

Fife - Robert William Balfour

Glasgow - Jacqueline McLaren

Inverness - Donald Angus Cameron, 27th Lochiel

Kincardineshire - Carol Kinghorn

Kirkcudbright - Matthew Murray Kennedy St Clair, 18th Lord Sinclair

Lanarkshire - Lady Haughey CBE

Midlothian - Lt Col Richard Callander LVO OBE TD

Moray - Major General Seymour Monro

Nairn - George Russell Asher

Orkney - Elaine Grieve

Perth and Kinross - Gordon Kenneth Stephen Leckie

Renfrewshire - Colonel Peter McCarthy

Ross and Cromarty - Joanie Aileen Whiteford

Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale - His Grace The 10th Duke of Buccleuch KT KBE

Shetland - Robert Hunter

Stirling and Falkirk - Alan Simpson OBE

Sutherland - Dr Monica Main

Tweeddale - Prof Sir Hew Strachan

Western Isles - Iain Macaulay

West Lothian - Moira Niven MBE

Wigtown - Sarah Rose Troughton

Mr Swinney led the nation in a minute's silence on Sunday evening and said: "In reflecting on Her Majesty's life and legacy, many of us have considered her long and valued service to the nation and the respect and admiration she had for the people of Scotland."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "During the Emergency Budget Review work in August, a saving of £50,000 was identified in relation to planned expenditure on Scottish Lord Lieutenant activities. This was prior to the announcement of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, following which, resources have been prioritised towards delivery of associated royal and ceremonial events in Scotland.

"Changes to budgets will be formally set out to Parliament in detail as part of the normal Budget Revision process, which is expected in the coming months."

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