Labour council leaders have claimed Scottish Government budget cuts could have “potentially devastating consequences” for schools and nurseries.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney’s plans will see local authority funding cut by hundreds of millions of pounds next year and negotiations resulted in a fallout with umbrella group Cosla.
Scottish Labour has pledged to protect education funding in real terms over the next five years.
Deputy leader Alex Rowley said: “For our economy to thrive we need a highly-skilled, well educated workforce. The SNP Government’s cuts will widen the gap that already exists and hold so many young people back.”
In a joint statement, signed by Fife Council leader David Ross, the leaders called on Mr Swinney to “think again” on the settlement.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Our funding proposals for local government deliver a strong but challenging financial settlement, despite cuts to the central budget by the UK Government, and will protect the pupil-teacher ratio and help improve attainment.
“Furthermore, we do not recognise the figures being claimed.”
