Labour hits out at school support staff cuts
Scotland's schools have lost an average of more than 10 support staff a week since the SNP came to power, Labour has claimed.
Scotland's schools have lost an average of more than 10 support staff a week since the SNP came to power, Labour has claimed.
The party's analysis of Scottish Government figures showed schools across the country had 19,743 support workers in 2015 - a drop of 18%, or 4,363 posts, since 2007.
Labour MSP Daniel Johnson described the drop as “staggering” and told SNP ministers: “You can't cut the gap between the richest and the rest in our classrooms whilst cutting support staff.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has made closing the attainment gap in schools a key priority for her government, having told voters: “I want to be judged on this.”
According to Labour, schools have seen a 54% reduction in the number of laboratory assistants, dropping from 70 in 2007 to 32 last year.
Numbers of library staff have reduced by 27%, from 351 to 253, while there are 24% fewer technicians, with 957 in post in 2015 compared with 1,260 in 2007.
Labour plans to amend the Government's budget for 2017-18, to raise the basic rate of income tax by 1p and reintroduce a 50p top rate for the highest earners, with the party pledging the cash will go towards improving education.
Mr Johnson said: “Education is the single most important economic investment a government can make, we should be investing in these jobs, not scrapping them.
“That's why Scottish Labour will introduce amendments to the Scottish budget for a 50p top rate of tax and a penny for public services to stop the cuts and invest instead.
“The SNP faces a choice: it can pass on an austerity budget from the Tories in Westminster or it can use the new tax powers of the Scottish Parliament to stop the cuts and invest in schools instead.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “These staff census figures were first published in December 2015.
“Local authorities determine the requirements for their schools, including the recruitment and deployment of staff, taking into account local needs.
“We have taken action to maintain teacher numbers and committed £88 million this year to make sure every school has access to the right number of teachers.”