Local MSP Iain Gray has been handed one of the key jobs in Scottish Labour’s new frontbench team at Holyrood.

The party’s new leader Kezia Dugdale has appointed Mr Gray as Spokesperson for Opportunity, with a wider remit covering not only schools and childcare, but also skills, lifelong learning, sport, science and workplace issues.

Speaking about his appointment, Iain Gray MSP said:

“I’m very pleased to have been asked by Kez to be Scottish Labour’s spokesperson on Opportunity. This will give me the chance to carry on the work I have been doing on education, but also to speak out on the issue of skills and apprenticeships.

“As a former teacher, it’s an area I feel strongly about and I know Kez does as well. She made clear in her acceptance speech as leader that she understands many people feel they don’t know what Scottish Labour stands for. They can be very clear, as of today, that under Kez Labour stands for opportunity, equality, justice, community and protecting public services and the environment.”