Edinburgh Council administration must rule out schools cuts, say Lib Dems

Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh have called on the ruling Labour administration running Edinburgh Council to rule out cuts to Edinburgh’s schools.  It follows today’s shocking news of major education cuts in Glasgow.
 
Leaked material has confirmed more than 800 teaching posts in Glasgow could be axed under plans drawn up by officials in SNP-run City Council.  The savings may also force Glasgow primary schools to close early. Teaching unions have warned this “would potentially write off the current generation of young people."
 
Scottish Liberal Democrat councillors in Edinburgh have now called on the ruling Labour administration in the city to publicly rule out any similar action in the Capital.
 
Lib Dem group leader, Councillor Kevin Lang said;
 
“The level of cuts being proposed to schools in Glasgow is frightening.  I have already had parents in Edinburgh asking me if similar action could be taken here.  This is why the Labour administration here must immediately rule out cuts to our city’s schools.
 
“We know the Scottish Government is forcing all councils to cut deep into their budgets.  In Edinburgh alone, we are having to find £60 million of savings this year. It is a dreadful situation to face and a painful process to have to take forward.
 
“As tough as this is, we simply cannot allow the future of our children to suffer. We cannot risk long-term harm to a generation of young people for a short-term budget balancing process.  If Labour want support for their budget next month then they must make protecting school budgets a key priority.”