The SNP has denied that budget cuts have resulted in less money for grassroots projects

Politicians have clashed over funding to fight sectarianism in Scotland.

Scottish Labour has said that £10 million has been cut from grants to fund frontline projects, however the SNP has dismissed the claims.

The spat comes ahead of a Scottish Parliament debate on the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act later this week, with MSPs expected to repeal the much debated legislation.

Labour MSP James Kelly has highlighted that the government’s draft budget has shown that the safer communities budget has been reduced every year since 2014-15, equivalent to a real-term cut of £10 million.

He said: “Instead of working with fans and investing in projects that actually change views, they have cut money from vital charities and services while at the same time doggedly pursuing the football act at every turn.

“The football act has horrendously backfired because it is entirely the wrong approach. Fans have lost all trust in the police and attention has been diverted away from methods which actually tackle sectarianism, like through education.”

However community safety minister Annabelle Ewing said that the government had spent record funds on fighting sectarianism.

She said: “The SNP government has spent record sums on tackling sectarianism, with more than £14m invested since 2007 – more than Labour spent when they were in office.

“James Kelly should instead explain to the public why he wants to legalise sectarian and offensive behaviour, and create a potentially serious gap in the law when it comes to prosecuting threatening online behaviour.”

Holyrood’s justice committee voted last week to recommend the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act – which football fans have claimed unfairly targets them.

The SNP has recognised that the act needs reformed but said repealing it would send out the wrong message, however opposition parties could unite to repeal the act.