Hundreds of Scottish schools in deficit last year

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today revealed new research showing that more than 200 Scottish state schools ran deficits last year.

Figures uncovered by the party through freedom of information requests show that 238 schools reported deficits, with the total figures coming to £5,674,742.

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie said:

“It is shocking to see hundreds of schools across the country reporting budget deficits.

“We know parents are being asked to contribute to school funds out of their own pockets, that schools are considering closing early and that subjects are being dropped from the curriculum.

“The prolonged and bitter teacher pay dispute has caused unquantifiable harm to the relationship between the teaching profession and a SNP Government that told them they were paid more than enough. Now that a deal has finally been struck, ministers need to make sure that schools, teachers and pupils have the resources they need to flourish.

"The omens are not good. Local authorities are being threatened with financial punishments if they don't keep up SNP teacher number promises but little extra money is being provided to make those promises a reality.

“The government must urgently address these funding pressures that are impacting on children's education and leaving schools struggling to make ends meet.”