As local schools miss out on new Scottish Government funding, East Lothian Labour is calling on SNP ministers to do more to help local authorities tackle the educational attainment gap.

The call for more concerted action follows the recent launch of Scottish Labour’s Fair Start Funding programme by local MSP Iain Gray, the party’s Opportunity Spokesperson, which would see £1000 per head for the poorest pupils in every primary school.

Speaking after a meeting of the Council’s Education Committee, where local progress on attainment was discussed, Cllr Shamin Akhtar said:

“Schools in East Lothian will not receive a penny from the Scottish Government’s attainment fund. I think most parents here will find that shocking and unacceptable. At today’s eductation committee we agreed to write to the Scottish Government and urge Ministers to think again on the fund and include authorities like ours.

“However, there is a more fundamental point her. Resources should be used to help the children who need the most help. Labour’s Fair Start Fund would do that by ensuring that every primary school in East Lothian would receive funding for the pupils in greatest need which they could use to help close the attainment gap.”