THE Liberal Democrats have put education at the centre of their election pitch, pledging to spend an extra £10 billion a year on schools, which would produce an annual knock-on windfall of £1bn for the Scottish Government.
As the party launches its General Election manifesto today in London, Jo Swinson’s party is aiming to swiftly reverse frontline school cuts south of the border with a promise of an "emergency cash injection" of £4.6bn next year.
By 2024/25, the Lib Dems insisted they would be spending £10.6bn more on schools than in 2019/20.
Over five years, the extra money would help boost teacher numbers by 20,000.
The party said it would attract and retain teachers by increasing starting salaries to £30,000 and guaranteeing all teachers a pay rise of at least three per cent a year over the next five years.
In addition, the additional resources would be used to boost support for children with special educational needs or a disability.
The party made clear that some £7bn of the extra cash would be spent on improving school buildings over the next five years.
The Lib Dems insisted the £10bn schools pledge was only a fifth of what it claims would be a £50bn economic bonus from staying in the EU.
"This is an investment in our children's future,” declared Ms Swinson. “Our schools should be world class, helping every child make the most of the challenges ahead.
"But instead, they are trailing behind. The Conservatives have cut school funding to the bone and children have paid the price, especially those with the most complex needs.
"It is disgraceful that some schools feel they have no choice but to ask parents to chip in for supplies and are closing early on Friday to balance the books.”
She went on: "Liberal Democrats will build a brighter future for every child.
“By stopping Brexit, we can spend £10bn of our Remain bonus on reversing school cuts and hiring 20,000 more teachers, so that pupils can leave school happy, healthy and with the skills they need to succeed in life."
Yesterday, Ms Swinson visited University Hospital Southampton to push the party's health plans, which include raising an extra £35bn for the NHS and social care over the next five years by putting a penny on income tax if they take power.
This would also, under the Barnett Formula, lead to a knock-on windfall for the Edinburgh Government of more than £3bn over the same period.
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