HARD-UP GLOBE TROTTERS IN

Council slammed for splashing £1.7k a head on New York jolly as public services are slashed and 450 teacher jobs put under threat

- PAUL HUTCHEON,

AN SNP council has been blasted for a plan to send senior politicians on a lavish trip to New York after pushing through savage spending cuts.

Glasgow Council intends to fly four councillors and officials to Scotland Week in the Big Apple despite 450 teaching posts being at risk and local services being slashed.

Council treasurer Richard Bell, a key architect behind the Glasgow cuts, is in line to attend alongside Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren and two council officials.

Last night, trade unions representing council workers reacted with fury to the plan, which will cost £1700 per person.

Keir Greenaway, an organiser in the GMB trade union, said: "It is absolutely tone deaf and shows a complete disregard for what is happening in the city to fly across the Atlantic when every councillor and official should be working around the clock to protect services.

The council, led by Susan Aitken, is facing a £107million financial black hole over three years, including steep cuts this year.