COUNCILS have warned they face a £100m Covid black hole, despite millions extra from Westminster, Holyrood and unexpected savings.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) estimated the crisis would create an additional costs of £370m between March and June, most of it lost income and unrealised savings.

Although this would be partially offset by £40m in lower costs and £80m support from the Scottish Government, that still left a net bill of £250m.

After weeks of delay, SNP ministers yesterday agreed to pass on £155m from the Treasury in Barnett funding formula consequentials to Scotland’s 32 councils, leaving a £100m shortfall.

But Local Government Secretary Aileen Campbell failed to commit to any increased funding for councils to plug this gap.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson said the bill to councils could well rise further because of extra social care services and education costs to cope with social distancing.

He said: “The SNP must finance this £100m black hole and prepare to support local councils further.

“Local councils are at the front lines battling this virus on behalf of all of us, and they shouldn’t have to fight so hard for essential funding.”