CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has blasted the SNP Scottish Government for “short-changing East Lothian’s young people” as recent figures show that East Lothian’s education spending is the lowest per head in Scotland.
The figures from last year showed that education spending in East Lothian was £622 lower per head for Primary School pupils and £840 lower per head for Secondary School pupils compared to elsewhere in Scotland.
Pre-school education spending in East Lothian was also the fourth lowest in Scotland, with the average pupil having £1,807 less spent on them compared to elsewhere in the country.
This is despite child poverty being above average in East Lothian, with 24.5% of the county’s children living in child poverty in 2019/2020.
Education spending in Aberdeen City was £3,021 more for every pre-school student, £500 more for every primary school pupil and £497 more for every secondary school pupil last year compared to East Lothian, despite the fact that Aberdeen reported a below-average child poverty rate of 21.3%.
East Lothian’s most deprived areas also recorded the third lowest attainment rate of 5 or more SCQF level 5+ awards in Scotland.
And over the same period, there was an 8% drop in numeracy rates and 9% in literacy rates in East Lothian Primary Schools, which was higher than the national average.
Mr Hoy commented on the situation, saying: “It is absolutely outrageous that education spending in East Lothian is significantly lower than the rest of Scotland when we have more children living in poverty here than the national average.
“How can it be fair for a pre-schooler in Morningside to have over £2,500 more spent on them compared to one living in Macmerry?
“I believe that every child in Scotland must be given the same opportunities to achieve in school and go on to future success.
“This should never be determined by what postcode you live in, or your family background. The SNP Scottish Government should hang their heads in shame for short-changing East Lothian’s young people, and disadvantaging children from deprived areas in East Lothian most.
“I will do everything that I can to ensure the Scottish Government provides adequate funding to East Lothian Council, and that East Lothian Council spends that money on our school children.
“No East Lothian child should be left behind because of decisions taken by politicians at Holyrood, but sadly that seems to be the case.
“I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills of Scotland asking for urgent support to resolve this and hope the local SNP MSP will stand up for his constituents and join me in demanding action.”
Conservative Councillor Gordon Mackett, who represents Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry where half of East Lothian’s most deprived areas are situated, said: “Our young people deserve better than this. How can it be right for young children living in East Lothian to have significantly less money spent on their education than children from Edinburgh and Midlothian?
“The gap between East Lothian’s most deprived areas and the rest of the country is significant, and it lays bare the need for more funding for local schools.
“East Lothian Council and the Scottish Government needs to get a grip on this situation and give our children the best possible chance of success, regardless of where they come from or what their background is.
“That’s why I will be pressing councillors for more funding on education, particularly for communities in the west of East Lothian where the need is most acute.”
