OPPOSITION PARTIES UNITE TO VOTE AGAINST PROTECTING TEACHER NUMBERS

OPPOSITION PARTIES UNITE TO VOTE AGAINST PROTECTING TEACHER NUMBERS  
  
JEREMY BALFOUR MSP MUST EXPLAIN THEIR VOTE TO ‘GIVE THE GREEN LIGHT’ TO TEACHER CUTS IN THE LOTHIANS, SAYS COLIN BEATTIE MSP 
  
Opposition MSPs have voted against measures to maintain teacher numbers in the Scottish Parliament – proving that the SNP is the only party willing to protect teacher numbers here in the Lothians, says local MSP Colin Beattie. 
  
The Scottish Government amendment called on COSLA to accept a £145.5 million funding boost from the Scottish Government to maintain teacher numbers. By rejecting this, the opposition parties have given their tacit endorsement to cuts to teacher numbers, prompting calls for Jeremy Balfour MSP to explain why they have opened the door to cuts to teacher numbers in [LOCAL ARE]. 
 
Local MSP Colin Beattie will continue to call on councils to accept the funding available to ensure teacher numbers are maintained, and for Jeremy Balfour MSP to back that call.  
  
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said  
  
“The opposition parties were set a very simple challenge in Parliament – call for councils to accept the money on offer to them and maintain teacher numbers across Scotland.  Instead, they chose to give a green light to potential cuts to teacher numbers, which will affect teacher numbers here in the Lothians.
 
“We are used to seeing pathetic political game-playing from the opposition - but playing politics with our children’s education is a new low.  That’s why I’m calling on Jeremy Balfour MSP to explain why they voted to open the door to cuts to teacher numbers in the Lothians. 
 
“It is vital that we see teacher numbers maintained in the Lothians and across Scotland – and the SNP Government will continue to do everything we can to protect teacher numbers in the face of opposition from Labour, the Tories, and the other opposition parties.” 
   
ENDS