COUNCILS north of the border are ramping up charges for culture and leisure services while slashing budgets, the Accounts Commission for Scotland has warned.

The watchdog found that councils spent £675 million on such services in 2023-24, which represents 3 per cent less than in 2018-19, with a further £9.9m in cuts under way this year.

Despite that decrease, the revenue generated by charges rocketed by 27 per cent to £118m over the same period.

As prices rose, visits to sports facilities fell by 21 per cent, while free facilities such libraries saw their patronage remain the same or, in the case of museums, rise by 25 per cent. 

Accounts Commission chairwoman Jo Armstrong said: “Culture and leisure services are vital to our health and wellbeing, supporting national and local priorities and supporting people to be better connected.

“As councils manage continued pressures due to increasing demands and costs, culture and leisure services have experienced a disproportionate share of council savings measures.

“Communities must be fully consulted on decisions to close, centralise facilities or changes to charging. Failing to do this risks deepening inequalities and legal action by communities.”