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Scottish government to intervene to stop council teacher cuts Scottish government to intervene to stop council teacher cuts
(about 1 hour later)
Several councils are understood to be considering education cuts to balance their budgetsSeveral councils are understood to be considering education cuts to balance their budgets
Scotland's education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville is preparing to intervene to stop local councils cutting teacher numbers.Scotland's education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville is preparing to intervene to stop local councils cutting teacher numbers.
The BBC understands that Ms Somerville is considering options and is likely to announce action within days.The BBC understands that Ms Somerville is considering options and is likely to announce action within days.
She is also expected to prevent the number of school hours being reduced.She is also expected to prevent the number of school hours being reduced.
It follows reports that several local authorities, including SNP-led Glasgow city council, are considering education cuts to balance their budgets.It follows reports that several local authorities, including SNP-led Glasgow city council, are considering education cuts to balance their budgets.
It emerged last week that Glasgow City Council was considering plans that could see 800 teachers cut and primary schools closing early on Fridays in a bid to make budget savings.It emerged last week that Glasgow City Council was considering plans that could see 800 teachers cut and primary schools closing early on Fridays in a bid to make budget savings.
At present, Scottish councils offer 25 hours of primary school teaching a week, and 27.5 hours to secondary school pupils.At present, Scottish councils offer 25 hours of primary school teaching a week, and 27.5 hours to secondary school pupils.
Scottish teachers begin wave of rolling strikesScottish teachers begin wave of rolling strikes
School subjects 'could be axed due to cuts'School subjects 'could be axed due to cuts'
Some councils, including Edinburgh, East Lothian, Borders, Midlothian, West Lothian, and North Lanarkshire close schools early on a Friday afternoon but these hours are made up across the week with longer days.Some councils, including Edinburgh, East Lothian, Borders, Midlothian, West Lothian, and North Lanarkshire close schools early on a Friday afternoon but these hours are made up across the week with longer days.
The expected move by the education secretary is expected to trigger a major row between the Scottish government and councils over funding levels and where power lies.The expected move by the education secretary is expected to trigger a major row between the Scottish government and councils over funding levels and where power lies.
Local government body Cosla had expressed "deep concern" over this year's cash allocation from the Scottish government.Local government body Cosla had expressed "deep concern" over this year's cash allocation from the Scottish government.
It has warned of a significant funding gap that would have a "detrimental impact on vital local services" and lead to job cuts.It has warned of a significant funding gap that would have a "detrimental impact on vital local services" and lead to job cuts.
A Cosla spokesperson said the group was aware of the proposed interventions and would consider a response when leaders meet on Friday.
Council tax increases are widely expected when councils set their budgets in the coming weeks.Council tax increases are widely expected when councils set their budgets in the coming weeks.
Ministers have provided some extra cash to councils, but price inflation and recent public sector pay deals have put the Scottish government's finances under pressure.Ministers have provided some extra cash to councils, but price inflation and recent public sector pay deals have put the Scottish government's finances under pressure.
Shirley-Anne Somerville is expected to intervene to stop local councils cutting teacher numbersShirley-Anne Somerville is expected to intervene to stop local councils cutting teacher numbers
The BBC understands that ministers are concerned that hundreds of teaching jobs could be cut as councils try to make savings.The BBC understands that ministers are concerned that hundreds of teaching jobs could be cut as councils try to make savings.
That would conflict with the SNP's manifesto commitment to increase the number of teachers and classroom assistants in Scotland by at least 3,500 before the next election.That would conflict with the SNP's manifesto commitment to increase the number of teachers and classroom assistants in Scotland by at least 3,500 before the next election.
It could also open up a new front in the current industrial dispute between the teaching unions and their local government employers over pay, which has resulted in a series of strikes.It could also open up a new front in the current industrial dispute between the teaching unions and their local government employers over pay, which has resulted in a series of strikes.
Which teachers in Scotland are striking and when?Which teachers in Scotland are striking and when?
Last year, the Scottish government earmarked £145m to help councils maintain and expand the teaching workforce.Last year, the Scottish government earmarked £145m to help councils maintain and expand the teaching workforce.
Despite that, annual statistics for 2022 published in December showed that the total number of teachers fell by 92 year on year to 54,193.Despite that, annual statistics for 2022 published in December showed that the total number of teachers fell by 92 year on year to 54,193.
Ministers have previously used ring-fencing to protect spending in particular areas. They also have statutory powers to direct education authorities in certain circumstances.Ministers have previously used ring-fencing to protect spending in particular areas. They also have statutory powers to direct education authorities in certain circumstances.
'Diktat to councils''Diktat to councils'
At Holyrood last week, Conservative leader Douglas Ross said he was "deeply worried" about the threat of teacher cuts in Glasgow and elsewhere.At Holyrood last week, Conservative leader Douglas Ross said he was "deeply worried" about the threat of teacher cuts in Glasgow and elsewhere.
When he asked the first minister how many teachers would lose their jobs across Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon did not offer a specific number.When he asked the first minister how many teachers would lose their jobs across Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon did not offer a specific number.
Ms Sturgeon said she respected the "autonomy of democratically elected institutions".Ms Sturgeon said she respected the "autonomy of democratically elected institutions".
Scottish Conservative's education spokesman Stephen Kerr said: "It's unfair of Nicola Sturgeon to issue this diktat to councils without offering them the additional funding to make it deliverable.Scottish Conservative's education spokesman Stephen Kerr said: "It's unfair of Nicola Sturgeon to issue this diktat to councils without offering them the additional funding to make it deliverable.
"The reason local authorities are warning of potential cuts to teacher numbers is due to years of systemic and brutal underfunding by the SNP government.""The reason local authorities are warning of potential cuts to teacher numbers is due to years of systemic and brutal underfunding by the SNP government."
He added that it was the "height of cynicism" for the first minister to "simply ring-fence another area of council spending, as that will just mean even more savage cuts to the remaining services local authorities have to provide."He added that it was the "height of cynicism" for the first minister to "simply ring-fence another area of council spending, as that will just mean even more savage cuts to the remaining services local authorities have to provide."