Following warnings from Education stakeholders that the SNP’s education policies would require “massive investment”, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary Jeremy Purvis MSP called on the SNP to produce a clear funding strategy.

The warning came during a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee.

Commenting, Mr Purvis said:

“Liberal Democrats have already exposed the funding chaos behind the SNP’s flagship education policy of cutting class sizes. Information obtained by the Liberal Democrats revealed that local councils have already spent the £40 million of money earmarked to cut class sizes on other priorities. One council spent it on a new boiler, another spent it on a large wheel–base minibus. One council spent their share on a new chemical store, while two more spent the money on staff toilets.

“Local authorities are clearly struggling to make the necessary upgrades to schools within the Government’s tight funding settlement. The Scottish Government has failed to allocate sufficient funding for local authorities to achieve the SNP’s education policies.

“Audit Scotland called on the Government to bring forward a clear financial strategy as to how it intends to fund new school build in Scotland. The SNP has refused to do so. The school building programme has stalled under the SNP and there is now considerable concern among parents that without a clear financial strategy, no government funding will be in place at all.”