The charity which runs Glasgow’s libraries and leisure centres has a £38m funding shortfall

Glasgow Life should get a government bailout to ensure the city’s libraries and leisure centres can reopen, say the Scottish Greens.

The charity, which is responsible for running Glasgow’s public cultural and sporting venues, is facing a £38 million funding shortfall as a result of the Covid crisis, meaning it cannot afford to reopen dozens of sites across the city.

Greens MSPs are now calling on the Scottish Government to step in with emergency financial support.

The call comes as over two-thirds of Glasgow’s libraries remain closed indefinitely after shutting their doors at the beginning of lockdown.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign outside Govanhill Library, Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP said: “Libraries are a lifeline for communities and will be even more so in the months ahead, when many people will need them to get online to look for jobs, access learning, or just have a place to get away from it all.

“Glasgow Life’s financial losses are so great that they will need urgent government help if they’re to safeguard services for the public and avoid damaging job losses. That’s why I’m calling for an urgent bailout so these essential services can reopen as soon as possible.”

Greens councillor Kim Long added: “Many of the local facilities that are staying shut, like Whitehill Pool, have been threatened with closure in recent years. The Scottish Greens have helped save them by winning millions for Glasgow in budget deals but now they face a new threat.

“We’re calling on the council and the Scottish Government to work together to reopen the libraries and leisure centres so essential to Glasgow communities and needed now more than ever.”