PRESS RELEASE
August 31st, 2009
Fair share for schools
Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil fears the area could miss out on an £800 million school spending plan.
After a two-year delay, the Scottish Government recently announced it was to release funds to build around 55 new schools across the country.
But education bosses have failed to give the local MSP assurances that Inverclyde will get their fair share of that cash.
Education secretary Fiona Hyslop insist the money will be distributed on a need-only basis.
But as Inverclyde Council has dug deep in recent years to bring its school schools up to scratch, it is unlikely to see any of that cash.
The MSP feels the area is being wrongly punished for making education a priority.
Mr McNeil said: “In this area, we have rightly put new schools top of the priority list so that our children can have the best possible environment to learn and make the best of themselves.
“If we are going to maintain the standard that has been set, we will need the support of the Scottish Government.
“If others areas have neglected their schools in favour of other priorities then that is they choice, Inverclyde should not be punished for making progress on this front.
“While I am delighted at the new schools we are seeing all over Inverclyde, we cannot afford to be complacent and that is why we need out fair share of central funding.”
ENDS