Increasing investment in education

New figures showing an increase in education spend by local authorities have been welcomed by Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

The latest provisional outturn and budget estimates show education budgets have increased from £4.826 billion in 2016-17 to £4.970 billion in 2017-18.

Mr Swinney said:

“Investment in education is an investment in the future of Scotland’s young people, and so I very much welcome this increase by local authorities - both in terms of last year’s expected spend and allocated budgets for the year ahead.

“However, the way this funding is currently allocated to schools is complex, lacks transparency and varies from council to council. We want far more decisions on school funding to be in the hands of those with the expertise and insight to target resources at the greatest need – the schools themselves.

“We are already giving an additional £120 million Pupil Equity Funding directly to head teachers to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap in their schools. We want to build on this approach with a fair funding system for schools. Our consultation runs until 13 October, and I urge everyone to have their say.”

Background

The 2016-17 provisional outturn and 2017-18 budget estimates show:

• Education spend is expected to be £4.879 billion, an increase of £0.086 billion (+1.8%) from 2015-16.
• Education sees an increase in budget to £4.970 billion, an increase of £0.144 billion (+3.0%) from that budgeted in 2016-17.

The Fair funding to achieve excellence and equity in education consultation is open until 13 October 2017.