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Not for the
first time,
the SNP sums do not add up.
The only way they could pay for their
plans is by cuts.
Local Labour MSP Allan Wilson has demanded answers from the SNP over their
local government funding plans that could see a cut to primary education of
£366 per primary school pupil and £516 for each secondary pupil in the Three
Towns and the Garnock Valley. The cuts stem from the nationalists' plans to
introduce a local income tax, but cap it at a level below the massive rises
needed to pay for current council services, leaving a substantial shortfall
in council funding.
"Not for the first time, the SNP sums do not add up. The only way they could
pay for their plans is by cuts. Cuts to the vital services that north coast
residents depend upon" said Mr Wilson.
"Current estimates of the SNP plans and the cuts needed to education alone
would be a hammer blow to local schools. It’s time the SNP locally were
honest with local people about what their cuts agenda means for local
education services."
"If the first two terms of the Scottish Parliament were about fulfilling the
people's priorities, then the next term must be about unlocking the people's
potential . Our central political and strategic objective is to make North
Ayrshire schools and nurseries among the best in the country and Scotland's
education system no less than the best in the world" said Mr Wilson.
"It is vital to our economic prospects as a nation and the future prosperity
of our young people that we invest more not less in our schools and colleges
and the SNP's plans to introduce a capped local income tax and cut services
threaten that investment. For the first time in the decade since Labour came
to power schools would be facing cuts under the SNP instead of increasing
investment under Labour " said Mr Wilson.
North Ayrshire Education Convenor Peter McNamara concurred, "How many
teachers would be at risk with the SNP? How many classroom assistants? And
how much of Labour's record investment would have to be reversed" asked Mr
McNamara.
"The choice at the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary and local authority
elections could not be clearer" claimed Mr McNamara, "Continued investment
in our local schools and the people who work in them with Labour or cuts in
services and staff with the SNP."
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