Commenting on the protest organised by the Educational Institute for Scotland in Edinburgh today, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Margaret Smith MSP said:

“People are really concerned at how they will be affected by the state of the public finances.

“Yet only a couple of weeks ago the Scottish parliament’s Finance Committee criticised the Scottish Government’s budget planning as patchy and “lacking in leadership” and “urgency”.

“The fact that the Scottish Government’s budget planning is in such disarray justifies the protest of education professionals and parents on the streets today.

“The Scottish Government has shown no leadership and continues to spend money on free school meals for rich kids and big bonuses to top public sector workers while teacher numbers drop and school repairs are delayed for years.

“The Scottish Government must get a grip on their budget planning, show real leadership and make sure areas like education are properly managed.”