Scottish First Minister John Swinney is set to face tough questions from opposition leaders following alarming financial warnings for local councils and a troubling rise in youth knife crime.
Swinney will be grilled at Holyrood just hours after the Accounts Commission revealed that Scotland’s local authorities are facing a staggering £1 billion funding shortfall over the next two years.
The independent watchdog estimates a £647 million gap for the coming year alone, fuelled by rising inflation, increasing service demands, and mounting social care costs. This marks a sharp increase of £52 million compared to the previous year.
This financial warning comes despite a £15.2 billion funding package for councils in the Scottish Government’s 2025–26 budget – a 6% rise in real terms. The figures are expected to spark serious questions about the SNP government’s handling of public finances, particularly in the health and social care sectors, which have been repeatedly criticised for poor performance and lack of strategic planning.
Opposition leaders are likely to demand answers from the First Minister on why local councils are struggling despite increased funding, and how the government plans to address the growing financial pressure on vital public services.
Swinney is also expected to face pressure over a series of recent knife-related incidents involving teenagers, which have raised serious concerns about youth safety and policing.
Over the past two months, Scotland has witnessed a disturbing wave of violence, with two teenagers losing their lives and at least eleven others injured in separate knife attacks.
On 5 March, 15-year-old Amen Teklay died after being found with fatal stab wounds on Clarendon Street in Glasgow. Just weeks later, 16-year-old Kayden Moy succumbed to his injuries after an alleged stabbing at Irvine beach on 18 May.
Between these two tragic events, STV News has reported at least 12 other knife-related incidents involving young people, resulting in the arrest or charging of 16 teenagers. The figures have sparked a renewed debate about youth violence, policing, and the adequacy of government-led interventions.
The First Minister’s leadership is expected to come under fire over both the council funding crisis and the increase in violent crime. As public pressure mounts, Swinney faces a critical moment in demonstrating how his government intends to restore public trust, support communities, and safeguard Scotland’s young people.
