OPPOSITION PARTIES MUST BACK FUNDING FOR EDUCATION
SNP MSP Clare Adamson has urged opposition MSPs to back the Scottish Government’s Budget to deliver an above inflation increase in spending for education.
Opposition politicians can show their support for Motherwell and Wishaw’s young people by backing the SNP Government’s proposed £158 million increase in education spending - a 3% increase over and above inflation.
The increased funding will be used to reform education bodies, maintain teacher numbers, and improve ASN (Additional Support Needs) services with a £29 million investment. This Budget also includes £120 million for headteachers to address the poverty-related attainment gap.
Additional funding has been allocated to expand breakfast club availability through the ‘Bright Start Breakfasts’ initiative and extend free school meals to primary 6 and 7 children from low-income families.
Ms Adamson’s call to opposition MSPs came as the latest figures showed the proportion of pupils achieving the expected level in literacy and numeracy across primary and secondary schools has reached a new high.
The MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said:
“The above inflation investment announced by the SNP Government will make a real difference to young people in Motherwell and Wishaw by ensuring improved support for ASN pupils, maintaining teacher numbers, and providing more resources for headteachers to tackle the attainment gap.
“This is a transformative budget with record funding for frontline NHS services, social care investment to reduce waiting lists, record local Government funding, and £768 million to provide 8,000 more affordable homes.
“Alongside the introduction of universal winter heating payments following Labour’s cuts, and plans to lift 15,000 children out of poverty by mitigating the UK Government’s abhorrent two-child cap from 2026.
“Opposition MSPs have the chance to deliver a substantial investment in education. But they have to vote for it. If they want more investment in education, then they have to back this Budget.
““The SNP is prioritising Scotland’s future by investing in schools, teachers, and our young people.”
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