Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary Jeremy Purvis MSP has voiced fears that SNP’s plan to scrap the Schools of Ambition project is the start of a programme of cuts to the education sector.

Under the SNP Government, spending on education and skills has fallen as a proportion of the Scottish Budget.

Commenting, Mr Purvis said:

“By scrapping the 'Schools of Ambition' project, the SNP Government has suggested that it is preparing for a programme of funding cuts to the education sector.

“As a proportion of the SNP’s Budget, education and skills spending has fallen. Liberal Democrats are extremely concerned that this will result in cuts to services.

“The SNP Government is also sending out mixed messages about targeted resources. On the one hand it has piloted free school meals in deprived areas, but on the other hand it is scrapping a pilot that has focused on improving secondary schools in deprived areas.

“The SNP must make up their minds about how to tackle deprivation and make no further cuts to education services.”