NEW SCHOOLS ADD TO RECORD GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT

NEW SCHOOLS ADD TO RECORD GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT

HYSLOP ANNOUNCEMENT SHOOTS LABOUR’S FOX

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie today welcomed the £1.25 billion of investment to build a further 55 schools on top of the 250 rebuilt or refurbished schools being delivered by 2011 as she highlighted higher investment by the SNP Scottish Government in the school estate than the previous Labour/LibDem Executive and new figures showing employment in construction has increased at a greater rate than south of the border.

Figures show that prior to today’s announcement the SNP Government was already putting a higher level of investment into Scotland’s school estate at £700 million a year, than the previous Labour/LibDem Executive which invested only £560 million.

The announcement continues the Scottish Government’s investment in construction with employment figures released today showing that far from Labour’s accusations employment in construction in Scotland has increased 1.4% over the last year, compared to only a 0.9% increase in England.

Ms McKelvie - a member of the Education Committee - called on the opposition to drop their petty and spurious attacks and accept the facts of school investment and construction. She said

“Today's announcement has shot Labour's fox. Instead of sticking to petty politics and ideology Labour would do better to look at the facts and welcome the real investment taking place.

“Under an SNP Government Scotland’s school children are being lifted out of the crumbling school buildings Labour left them in for ten years and into new schools built without wasteful and expensive PFI costs in the best interests of Scotland’s children.

“We have already seen 150 schools rebuilt or refurbished with atleast 250 schools to be delivered by 2011. Today’s announcement will see a further 55 schools built on top of that - ensuring as many children as possible have the opportunity to be educated in good quality schools, not the crumbling estate Labour left behind.

“The SNP Government is already spending more per year on the school estate that the former administration did in any of the last eight with the SNP Government’s commitment of £700 million a year over the four years of this term, well ahead of Labour and the Lib Dems contribution of only £560 million a year over seven years. Now we will see even more invested as the SNP Government backs Scotland’s school children.

“At the same time this adds to our investment in construction to keep Scotland’s economy moving through the recession. With an £800 million investment in the Southern General Hospital, investment in the Forth Road Bridge, in road and rail infrastructure and in schools across Scotland the SNP in Government is supporting construction jobs across the country.

“With employment figures showing an increase in construction employment in Scotland over the last year, ahead of that in England it is clear the Scottish Government’s commitment to invest in Scotland’s recovery is working and is paying off in jobs, in support for our communities and in improvements in the school estate.”