- Top priority claim labelled ‘farcical’

18 February 2019

Labour has labelled Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that education is her top priority as farcical as new analysis reveals universities have lost out on over £400million worth of investment in today’s prices since she became First Minister.

Scottish Labour analysis, based on figures provided by SPICe, shows that the SNP has failed to protect the university resource budget every year since Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister, with a total cost to universities of £417million.

The draft budget, set to go through at Stage 3 this week due to a deal with the Green party, cuts the funding again, which is now 11 per cent lower in real terms than it was in 2014/15.

Labour said investing in education should be a top priority for any government, for economic growth and for a fairer country.

Labour Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education Iain Gray said:

“Investing in education is investing in our people and our economy, it should be the top priority for any government, and Nicola Sturgeon promised it would be hers.

“That claim is utterly farcical when stacked up next to the numbers. Universities have faced more cuts under the SNP.

“That’s bad for students in Scotland and for the future of the Scottish economy – but rather than reverse those cuts, the SNP-Green budget proposes even more.

“Labour would invest in our people, communities and public services by making the richest pay their fair share, starting with a 50p top rate of tax.”



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