The SNP is calling on Labour to “do the maths” as Scottish Parliament figures reveal their plans to pay for a new £110 education fund could be out by £76 million.
The multimillion pound shortfall was identified in new figures produced by the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (SPICe) this week.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has committed to fund her education plans through increasing the top rate of tax – but with SPICe estimates showing this could raise only £34 million compared to Labour’s expected £110 million there is a gaping black hole in her projections.
Commenting, SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald said:
“These figures show Labour’s estimates could be out by a staggering £76 million – little wonder that people in Scotland don’t trust them on education or with Scotland’s finances.
“Meanwhile, the SNP Government is taking forward sensible, costed plans to close the attainment gap in education, including delivery of the £100 million attainment challenge.
“As Labour struggle as a credible party of opposition – on this and on so many other key issues – it becomes increasingly clear that the SNP is the only party that people can trust to deliver for Scotland."
