Hansard

No, not that this stage.

The key focus of our work to tackle inequality is to ensure that Scotland is one of the best countries in the world for children to grow up in. When our youngest children enter school they should have access to the best possible education. The evidence is clear that the foundations of a successful education system lie in the quality of teachers. We have thousands of excellent teachers across Scotland. However, we need not just to maintain but to improve the high standards that we have set.

We have been consistent in our commitment to maintain teacher numbers in line with pupil numbers as a central part of our priority to raise attainment. Over the period 2011-12 to 2014-15, we have provided additional funding of £134 million to local authorities specifically to support them in maintaining teacher numbers.

As part of this year’s budget process, we agreed to enter discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on educational outcomes, including teacher numbers. However, following the results of the December 2014 teacher census, we reviewed our approach. It is important to stress that we have worked successfully in partnership with local authorities and we remain committed to that partnership; I also recognise the very real budgetary pressures facing all the public sector, including local government, as budgets are set for 2015-16. However, when specific and sufficient funding is available to maintain the employment of teachers, it is not acceptable that the number of teachers declined slightly last year and the ratio of pupils to teachers rose slightly into the bargain.

In discussion with COSLA, and in line with our objective to maintain teacher numbers, I have offered to suspend the penalty for 2014-15 that I was entitled to apply as a result of the fall in teacher numbers, as well as to provide a further £10 million next year on top of the previously allocated £41 million to support the employment of teachers.

At this stage, despite the support of SNP councils, COSLA has been unable to agree to what I consider to be a fair and generous offer of Government support to deliver a good outcome for our children. As a result, this Government, in order to protect teacher numbers and to deliver the educational standards that we want to see, has no alternative but to make that funding available on a council by council basis if—and only if—councils are prepared to sign up to a clear commitment to protect teacher numbers.

As planned, £41 million is available at the start of this financial year. However, let me be clear: any council that does not make that commitment and demonstrate that it can be achieved will have its share of the £41 million clawed back before April. For those who share our ambition to maintain teacher numbers and deliver on their commitment, a further £10 million is available following the December 2014 teacher census. However, a failure to deliver will result in a further clawback of funding. To each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities, I say this: my door is open. I therefore call on each council to make that commitment, access the resources that we have made available, and deliver the teachers that our children deserve.

The education of Scotland’s children is the key to their future and to the future of Scotland, but too many of our young people have their life chances narrowed by circumstances that are out of their control. As we signalled in the programme for government, tackling inequality is one of our key priorities. Today, I am announcing the first tranche of additional funding to tackle educational inequality in Scotland. This Government will provide £20 million in the coming year, to be followed by further funding in next year’s budget, to focus minds and efforts on supporting those in education who face some of the greatest challenges. Further details on that announcement will be set out shortly.

This budget provides new, affordable and energy-efficient homes, as well as support to first-time buyers who are looking to enter the housing market and assistance to people as they progress up the property ladder. It supports our economy through investment in education and a supportive business environment, and by removing obstacles to people getting into work. It delivers the social wage, protects household incomes and our high-quality public services, and provides funding of more than £12 billion for health. It puts the life chances of our young children at the heart of what we do through investment in childcare, further funding for teachers, and new efforts to tackle inequality and give every child in Scotland the best possible educational opportunity.

It is for all those reasons that I commend the Budget (Scotland) (No 4) Bill to Parliament.

I move,

That the Parliament agrees that the Budget (Scotland) (No.4) Bill be passed.