Financial Implications of Coronavirus Outlined

Published

19th August 2020

Tackling the coronavirus crisis has resulted in extra spending by Dundee City Council of nearly £33 million.

Councillors will hear that, after taking into account additional government funding streams, the predicted shortfall for this financial year amounts to just over £19.5 million.

An update report on the financial implications of coronavirus, and a financial recovery plan will be considered by the policy & resources committee on Monday August 24.

The financial recovery plan identifies £16.456m worth of measures, leaving a projected deficit of £3.102m for 2020/21.

Council leader John Alexander said: “We have been working hard to support individuals and communities who have been hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis and lockdown.

“But this has come at a price, and we have incurred significant extra spending. Despite receiving funds supplied by the Scottish and UK governments we are still left looking at a substantial deficit.

“The council has been hit hard by the lack of income in areas like parking and construction services, while Leisure & Culture Dundee has suffered from a major drop in revenue.

“The financial recovery plan represents a sensible way forward, and there will be further reports to follow to advise on progress. We also want to send the report to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee to show the financial impact on Dundee.

“Although these are very concerning financial statistics, it cannot be forgotten that direct action was taken to save lives. We still all have a part to play in helping suppress this deadly virus further.”

Dundee City Council

Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.

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