Responding to the publication of the draft budget statement, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the fastest growing teachers’ union in Scotland said:

“The NASUWT is pleased that the funding announcement restates the commitment to maintain teacher numbers and also to maintain funding already in place for nurseries and school buildings.

“The NASUWT also welcomes the commitment made by the Scottish Government to support young people through the continuation of the Education Maintenance Allowance.

“However despite this, there is no good pretending all is well. Funding is a significant challenge not least to support the workforce and to retain and recruit teachers.

“With the new tax-raising powers the Scottish Government has been given this will clearly raise expectations that the Government will no longer need to inflict the callous fiscal policies of the Westminster Government on Scotland’s public services.”