SNP hails number of young people in a 'positive destination'
The SNP say the percentage of school leavers in further education, work or training has increased to a record high.
In 2006-07 the proportion of young people in a 'positive destination' three months after leaving school stood at 86.6% but the figure increased to 92.9% in 2014-15.
The figures were obtained through a written question lodged by SNP Paisley MSP George Adam.
He said: 'Since coming to office the SNP government has retained and extended the Education Maintenance Allowance; maintained full-time places at our colleges; exceeded its target of 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships per year; and scrapped university tuition fees.This has all contributed to the highest level of youth employment for 10 years - testament to the focus the SNP government has placed on getting more young people into work.'
But, he added 'we cannot be complacent. That's why the Scottish Government has set the ambitious goal of reducing youth unemployment by 40% by 2021.On this as on so many issues, the SNP has a solid record in government and is ambitious for the future of our young people - if re-elected in May we will work tirelessly to meet these ambitions.'
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour announced plans for every school in Scotland to receive more funding to close the attainment gap by increasing the top rate of tax for those earning more than £150,000.
The party said every primary school in the country would receive £1,000 for each pupil from a deprived background which headteachers would decide how to spend.
Scottish Labour opportunity spokesman Iain Gray said: 'For too many children how much money their parents have determines how far they get on in life, rather than their potential and ambition. That has to change.
'Under the SNP's plans more than 1,500 schools in Scotland get no extra support to close the gap between the richest and the rest. With half a billion pounds of cuts to local services like our schools coming from the SNP Government's budget, there is a real risk that pupils already at a disadvantage will get left even further behind. A Scottish Labour Government would ask those lucky enough to earn over £150,000 a year to pay a little bit more in tax so we can create a Fair Start Fund to invest in our young people. It'll mean £1,000 of extra funding for every pupil from the poorest background, and we'll give the money directly to head teachers, who know how to spend the money better than a minister sitting in Edinburgh.'