The spotlight recently has been on the performance of the Labour Government in Westminster, but there is still much to debate regarding the performance of the SNP administration in Holyrood.

Last week we reported on a row between the Scottish Government and local authorities over the withholding of £145.5 million in funding intended to increase teacher numbers.

Read our report here

Today a reader vents his ire over the situation.

Neil Stewart of Balfron writes:

“The Scottish Government has decided to withhold £145 million from council funds because of a row over teacher numbers.

How narrow-minded is that, with educational standards at an all-time low and the Labour Party adding VAT to private education fees, causing a large number of parents to either struggle with the fees or indeed make the difficult decision to educate their children in our failing state system?

It should be obvious that education is the backbone of any child's development and in turn the prosperity of our country.

It is little wonder that those most qualified leave our shores for countries where they are more respected for their skills and rewarded accordingly, while Scotland, which was once acclaimed for its education system, sinks deeper into the mire.

There is little or nothing positive that can be said about this Government's tenure in office. The ferries being built in Turkey are behind schedule, the Glen Sannox is still not operational, the pledge to cut waiting lists in our hospitals has failed. We have the reintroduction of peak rail fares and the higher costs to the public.

It's about time that this Government started governing and dealt with the real issues: education, health, child poverty and our transport system.”

The Herald is only £1 for 3 months.