This budget needs a change of direction. We have had years of eye-catching policy announcements from the SNP with little follow-up or substantive action to revitalise Scotland’s sluggish economy and creaking public services. The political choices that the SNP have made over the last 17 years are now catching up with them, and with an additional £1.5bn this financial year and £3.4bn next year coming to Scotland from UK Labour’s budget at Westminster, the SNP can no longer hide behind Tory austerity to avoid responsibility for their own incompetence.
Scottish Labour believes that we now need a distinct focus on improving outcomes for the people of Scotland, not more empty promises which they fail to follow through on and never become reality. It is time for a fair deal for local government, and much more transparency in funding processes so that local authorities and other public bodies have a semblance of stability after years of uncertainty.
Since 2021, in opposition, we have worked day and night to hold the Scottish Government to account on its promises to Scotland’s people, including Scotland’s young people.
Since the SNP were elected on their manifesto to recruit 3,500 additional teachers, teacher numbers have in fact fallen. On their watch, we have also seen under recruitment of teachers in key subjects and gaps in some localities, as well as newly qualified teachers unable to get work. Education Trade Unions have highlighted that teachers who do have jobs are doing an average 11 hours’ unpaid work a week due to pressures in schools.
Since they came to power, it has become clear that the SNP Government does not have a vision for education of our young people. After 17 years in office, the SNP do not know how many teachers and support staff are needed in Scotland’s schools, nor do they have any way to adapt to needs on an ongoing basis in order to deliver the education system our young people deserve.
This May, my colleague Pam Duncan-Glancy, Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, lodged a motion calling for the Scottish Government to protect teacher numbers and publish a comprehensive workforce plan for Scotland’s schools. This motion was passed by the Scottish Parliament, in a defeat for the SNP Government. Since then, we have had no confirmation from the SNP that they intend to respect the will of the Parliament on this matter, let alone sight of a plan.
Scottish Labour fully recognises the tremendous pressures on teachers and staff within schools. Creating a plan for how many teachers and school staff we need, and where we need them, must now be a priority. The SNP’s failure adversely impacts pupils, parents, teachers, and staff in schools across Scotland. It exacerbates the other crises in schools, including on ASN provision and violence and behaviour in classrooms. It is holding back a generation of young people, and Scottish Labour will continue to urge the SNP to address it at the earliest opportunity.