Teacher cuts: Government will ‘withhold or recoup’ funding from councils
SCOTLAND’S councils face financial penalties if they use money allocated for teacher recruitment on other services, Education Secretary Shirley-anne Somerville has confirmed.
In their 2021 election manifesto, the SNP promised to increase teacher numbers by at least 3,500 before the end of the parliamentary session.
Around £145 million had been provided to councils to pay for this pledge.
However, with local authorities across the country facing tough spending choices as they set their budgets for next year, some council bosses would rather use the money to pay for other key services.
Speaking to MSPS on Tuesday, Ms Somerville said if any of the money ring-fenced for teachers and support staff in the next financial year was spent elsewhere, the Scottish Government would “withhold or recoup” funding.
She also warned councils about cutting back on the number of school hours.
“My immediate concern is the threat that the numbers of teachers and support staff may start to fall in the next financial year, as a result of council budget decisions,” she said.
The Education Secretary added that funding had been agreed with local councils to maintain the number of teachers and support staff and ensuring places for probationary teachers were available.
“In the year ahead, where these criteria are not met by a local authority, we will withhold or recoup funding that’s been given to local authorities for these purposes,” she said.
“I know this decision may not be welcomed by local government, but I have a very clear commitment to improve Scottish education, which we are making good progress.
“I’m firmly of the view we will not do that by having fewer teachers or support staff, or less time in schools.”
Scottish Tory education spokesman Stephen Kerr said the decision “destroys what little good faith still exists between councils and the Scottish Government”.
Labour’s education spokesman, Michael Marra, said there was “blind panic in the government and chaos in council chambers”.
“This statement is woeful, it offers zero clarity to parents, pupils, teachers or to taxpayers,” he added.
Cosla said the approach was a “U-turn on previously agreed flexibilities for councils over their budgets”.