The Local Government Finance Order agreed by Parliament delivers an additional £107m to local government in Scotland – and shows that the budget allocated to East Ayrshire has risen from £226.331 in 2014/15 to £230.203 in 2015/16.

This package includes funding to maintain the council tax freeze for another year, maintain teacher numbers at 2014/15 levels, to mitigate the Bedroom Tax and to provide free school meals for children in P1-3.

Mr Ingram said: “This latest funding boost from the Scottish Government will be welcomed by people across East Ayrshire and is another example of the SNP’s commitment to investment in our vital public services.

“The SNP in government is providing a fair deal for local government and is delivering on key policies benefiting local people – from the council tax freeze which is protecting family budgets during tough economic times to free school meals to give our youngest pupils the best possible start in life.

“This funding will also see the number of teachers in East Ayrshire maintained at current levels – and will keep people in East Ayrshire protected against the imposition of Westminster’s Bedroom Tax.

“The Scottish Government will continue to work alongside our partners in local government to deliver the best possible deal for people in Scotland – and to protect our public services as much as possible from the austerity agenda being imposed by Westminster.”