Old promise gets recycled in poll ‘bribe’

NICOLA Sturgeon has been accused of a ‘cynical’ attempt to hold cash back for a pre-election bribe ahead of the council polls on May 5.

The First Minister has pledged to recruit 3,500 more teachers – but the SNP made almost exactly the same promise for last year’s Holyrood elections and then slashed funding for schools.

In the latest Budget, money for education and skills fell, in real terms, by almost £300 million, to £4 billion, even after Finance Secretary Kate Forbes found an extra £120 million for councils.

Oliver Mundell, Scots Tory education spokesman, said: ‘This is a cynical, rehashed policy pledge from an SNP government that is clearly trying to pull the wool over voters’ eyes.

‘Firstly, this is a recycled policy from last year’s SNP manifesto. But secondly, and more importantly, how do the SNP intend to deliver on this pledge when they have just cut the education budget in real terms?’

An SNP spokesman said: ‘Investment in education is at a record high, with resource and capital spending up almost £200 million.’