WIREDGOV

Budget underlines investment in education and training 

Developing Scotland’s young workforce, improving the prospects of vulnerable young children and expanding flexible, funded early learning have been prioritised in Scotland’s draft budget for 2015-16.

As presented by Finance Secretary John Swinney to the Scottish Parliament, Scotland’s draft budget includes:

• £330 million for further projects under Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme
• £140 million support through the NPD pipeline to deliver new college campuses for Fife and Forth Valley
• Around £160 million in 2015-16 to support the expansion of early learning and childcare
• £16.6 million to take forward recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce
• New living cost support of up to £4,500 for eligible postgraduate students.

Speaking yesterday Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell said:

“The Scottish Government’s budget aims to build a prosperous and fair Scotland where young people, from the earliest years right up to their entry into the workplace have opportunities to succeed and contribute to the nation’s future success.

“Alongside a strengthened budget for learning, and additional investment in new and refurbished schools, we are determined to tackle inequalities across the board. Our funding to expand early learning and childcare over the next two years has now reached over £300 million. That investment, together with the implementation of free school meals for P1-3, will especially benefit children and families from our most disadvantaged communities.

“Building on free tuition for Scots-domiciled students, there is also provision to further widen access to university in today’s budget. New living cost support for postgraduates on eligible courses will help ensure that an individual’s background is no barrier to maximising their potential in academia.”

Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women’s Employment Angela Constance said:

“Earlier this year I welcomed the report from the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, which has set out a blueprint to make significant improvements to Scotland’s system of vocational education and therefore support more young people towards employment. An expanded budget to support this vital area of work highlights the importance we attach to it and I look forward to progressing elements of this work in the coming months.

“Scotland’s economy is growing steadily stronger and I believe today’s draft budget will help even more of our young people to succeed in school, college or a wide variety of training options. However, we must not forget that it is set against substantial cuts to the Scottish Government’s budget by Westminster.