Scottish Labour calling for clarity on plan to save teacher jobs
It's after Glasgow City Council and West Lothian Council said they were considering the action
Last updated 5th Feb 2023
Scottish Labour has called for clarity on what the Government plans to do to maintain teacher numbers.
It’s after reports Glasgow City Council officials had drawn up speculative plans to cut 800 teacher posts in the face of a £68 million shortfall.
Reductions in the school day as well as teacher numbers are also being considered by councillors in West Lothian.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville would lay out plans “in the coming days” to block councils from cutting teacher posts in an attempt to save money.
A Government press release confirmed the Cabinet Secretary and Deputy First Minister John Swinney met with local authority leaders this week to discuss the issue.
However, there are concerns that the Government isn’t moving quickly enough.
Scottish Labour education spokesman Michael Marra said: "Scotland's councils are staring down the barrel at savage cuts that could lead to hundreds of lost teaching jobs.
"Labour has been warning for weeks that this is where things were headed.
"The SNP's last minute panic response was a press release promising action.
“A week on, councils are still in the dark with crucial budgets now in chaos,” he added.
Inflation, the cost of living and the impact of Covid are contributing towards local authorities struggling to balance the books.
The Scottish government said it had boosted council funding in real terms by £2.2bn since 2013-14.
But the Accounts Commission, the independent body that holds councils to account, previously said two thirds will have to rely on cash reserves to bridge the £400 million funding gap.