South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has blasted the cuts to local councils by the SNP Scottish Government that has resulted in 96 teachers being cut from schools across Dumfries and Galloway.

According to latest figures published today (11 December) by the Scottish Government there are currently 1,436 teachers employed by Dumfries and Galloway Council in local schools. This is a reduction of 34 from the same time in 2017 and a reduction of 96 from 2012.

As a result of the SNP Government’s Budget last year Dumfries and Galloway Council had to find just over £12million in cuts. This was on top of £48million worth of cuts that had been made since 2010.

Colin Smyth MSP said, “It is clear that the cuts being made to local council budgets by the SNP are having a devastating impact on vital local services like schools. The SNP said that education was their top priority but the cuts in teacher numbers as a result of Scottish Government cuts questions whether education is the SNP’s top priority.

The cuts by the SNP to Dumfries and Galloway Council’s budget has resulted in a loss of 6% of teaching staff since 2012. If the SNP are serious about making education their top priority and ensuing all of our children and young people receive a quality education they must properly fund local councils to allow them to deliver. If they do not they risk further cuts, and adding additional pressure onto our teaching workforce at a time morale is already too low and teachers are threatening strike action because their pay has been cut in real terms”