English taxes fund a cut in Scottish class sizes
PLANS to cut school class sizes in Scotland were last night branded “unfair” by critics who claim English taxpayers are footing the bill for improved services north of the border.
The new proposals, launched yesterday by Scottish education secretary Fiona Hyslop, will see primary classes limited to 18 pupils and the creation of 300 more teaching posts to accommodate the extra classes. It follows the announcement of free prescriptions for Scots who are chronically ill, and plans to give the same to all patients within four years.
Last night campaigners in England were appalled that, while Scotland reaps the benefits of British taxes, classes south of the border will remain at 30 pupils. Nick Seaton, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: “This is yet another example of the English taxpayer footing the bill for improvements in Scotland, while our children continue to suffer.”
Scottish councils will receive extra funding from August. The package, which includes an extra 475 nursery school places and a further 250 already-trained student teachers, is expected to cost £25 million this year.
Blair Gibbs, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance said: “Sooner or later the Government is going to have to explain why it is ok for SNP Ministers to make spending pledges in Scotland paid for by the English taxpayer.”
Among benefits enjoyed by the Scots are free student tuition fees from 2009 – students in England and Wales pay up to £3,000 a year. And expensive drugs for Alzheimer’s and eye disease, not available on the NHS in England.
