SNP pair slammed for ‘voting against’ funds bid

DUNDEE’S two SNP MSPs were branded “disgraceful” for voting against scrapping a 79% cut to cash set aside for the poorest children in their areas.

Last year, we revealed plans to overhaul how funding is distributed to reduce the povertyrelated attainment gap in schools.

The shake-up meant the cash previously shared among the country’s nine most deprived council areas is stretched across all 32 local authorities in Scotland.

Dundee schools will lose around £4.9 million over the next four years, including £1.2m dropped from the budget in 2022-23.

MSPs had the option to back a vote last Wednesday that would have seen Parliament call on ministers to reinstate full funding for the nine original “challenge authorities”, including Dundee.

However, SNP and Green MSPs – including Mr FitzPatrick and Ms Robison – voted to amend the motion and the instruction to replace the funding.

North East Labour MSP Michael Marra, who led the move at Holyrood, called on the pair to explain their actions to city parents.

He said: “Dundee is set to lose £5m of vital education funding as a result of SNP votes in Parliament.

“For SNP members from Dundee to vote through this cut is disgraceful.”

However, Mr FitzPatrick said: “The vote was a stunt by Labour MSPs to deflect from the reality that this was a decision agreed at Cosla by their Labour council leader colleagues from across Scotland.

“Dundee’s re-elected SNP council is bringing forward budget plans to invest £500,000 to boost attainment in schools.”

Shona Robison said: “Changes to the funding formula were agreed by council leaders, including Labour leaders, from across Scotland at Cosla.

“Councillor John Alexander was the sole leader to object on behalf of Dundee’s SNP-led council administration.”