Politician George Adam says Renfrewshire Council has benefited from a nationwide increase of 2.7% in education spending last year though Scottish Government efforts to close the attainment gap and provide local authorities with a fair funding deal.
MSP George Adam says net spending on education by local authorities across Scotland rose to £4.7 billion last year – the biggest spending area of the total £10.1 billion service expenditure in 2015-16, proving once again the SNP’s commitment to improving Scotland’s education system.
Last week’s government budget saw local authorities benefit from £160 million of additional funding to help with service provision at a local level, as well as seeing £4,248,000 given to schools in Renfrewshire earlier this month as part of the national attainment fund.
Paisley’s MSP, George Adam said: “These latest local authority stats prove once again that the SNP Government is providing a strong funding deal for Renfrewshire – and is doing all it can to help close the attainment gap and improve the education system in Renfrewshire.
Last week’s budget saw additional funding for Renfrewshire council to help with service provision at a local level – building on the excellent funding package for local services revealed in these figures.
“The Scottish Government has consistently said that education is its number one priority, and it is heartening to see that action is being taken to support Renfrewshire schools – through a 2.7% increase in funding last year and with the effective action taken in the budget this year.
“The £4,248,000 provided to schools across Renfrewshire through the Scottish Attainment Fund further proves the Scottish Government’s commitment to improving our education system – and action will continue to be taken by the SNP to make sure that every child, no matter their background, gets an equal chance in life.”
Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan said: “Any additional money for schools is welcome. However, people in Renfrewshire aren’t fooled on the SNP’s poor record on education at local and national level.
“The previous SNP council cut free school transport and wanted to replace professional teaching time with unqualified staff.
This Labour Administration has restored free school buses, boosted teacher numbers, and put education at the centre of our innovative approaches to increase opportunity and give people support to get out of poverty.
“Mr Adams also makes much of the money given to councils by the Scottish Government at the last minute to secure a budget deal.
The fact is that so called additional money to Renfrewshire was less than half of the yearly cut in funding to our council.
“Instead of trying to con the people of Renfrewshire, Mr Adams should have been standing up for the community he claims to represent . Instead he has put the interests of his political party first.
“We have heard nothing from him about the years of funding cuts imposed disproportionately on Renfrewshire by the Scottish Government.compared to other councils.
“Renfrewshire Council is driving forward programmes which are delivering on tackling poverty, regenerating our town centres, and creating the conditions for long-term economic growth – including through the £1.13billion Glasgow City Region City Deal.
“Renfrewshire needs and deserves fair funding to fully deliver these approaches, that is what every politician of whatever party should be speaking out on .”