Schools and music are in budget cut firing line

Sweeping cuts in school spending, music tuition and library opening hours are among measures being considered by Edinburgh City Council chiefs to balance the budget for next year.

School budgets handed to headteachers could be reduced by up to 3 per cent, which the council admits could leave some schools unable to meet targets for teacherpupil ratios.

Music tuition in the Scottish capital could be halved, with 2,500 pupils who are learning to play instruments hav- 0 Alasdair Rankin has flagged the potential service cuts

ing their lessons stopped or a charge of £321 a year introduced. Library hours could also be cut back.

Finance convener Alasdair Rankin said “hard decisions” would have to be made.