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Council funding announcement due on teacher pay deal Council funding announcement due on teacher pay deal
(about 2 hours later)
Teachers are next due to strike on 28 February and 1 MarchTeachers are next due to strike on 28 February and 1 March
Councils are expecting to hear later if they will receive more money from the Scottish government to make a new pay offer to teachers.Councils are expecting to hear later if they will receive more money from the Scottish government to make a new pay offer to teachers.
Unions have said any new offer would need to be "significantly" improved to avoid further strike action.Unions have said any new offer would need to be "significantly" improved to avoid further strike action.
Teachers have asked for a 10% rise, but the current deal is worth between 5% and 6.85% for most staff.Teachers have asked for a 10% rise, but the current deal is worth between 5% and 6.85% for most staff.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said discussions on the teachers' dispute would continue on Monday.Deputy First Minister John Swinney said discussions on the teachers' dispute would continue on Monday.
He did not confirm that a new offer would be made.He did not confirm that a new offer would be made.
A series of teachers' strikes have been held across Scotland since November, with more planned for later this month.A series of teachers' strikes have been held across Scotland since November, with more planned for later this month.
If additional Scottish government funds are made available, a meeting will be held later this week to agree a new deal before it is presented to unions.If additional Scottish government funds are made available, a meeting will be held later this week to agree a new deal before it is presented to unions.
Teachers will strike during exams if dispute not resolved, says unionTeachers will strike during exams if dispute not resolved, says union
Ministers' constituencies targeted in escalation of Scottish school strikesMinisters' constituencies targeted in escalation of Scottish school strikes
The dispute centres on the pay rise which teachers were due to receive in April last year.The dispute centres on the pay rise which teachers were due to receive in April last year.
The most recent pay offer was made before the first strike by the EIS union in November.The most recent pay offer was made before the first strike by the EIS union in November.
Nearly all pupils in Scotland have lost three or four days' worth of education since then.Nearly all pupils in Scotland have lost three or four days' worth of education since then.
The next strike action is due to be held on 28 February and 1 March.The next strike action is due to be held on 28 February and 1 March.
The EIS is also planning targeted strikes at schools in a number of areas - including the Glasgow constituency of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.The EIS is also planning targeted strikes at schools in a number of areas - including the Glasgow constituency of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Cllr Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland he was "on standby" to attend a meeting of the country's 32 local authority leaders on Tuesday to approve a revised pay offer.Cllr Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland he was "on standby" to attend a meeting of the country's 32 local authority leaders on Tuesday to approve a revised pay offer.
He added: "What that offer will look like I don't know as I am not privy to the discussions which are taking place in government.He added: "What that offer will look like I don't know as I am not privy to the discussions which are taking place in government.
"I would hope that we could find a way to last least suspend the strikes, maybe pending further discussions around a two-year deal, but at this point in time I really don't know what the government is going to come up with.""I would hope that we could find a way to last least suspend the strikes, maybe pending further discussions around a two-year deal, but at this point in time I really don't know what the government is going to come up with."
Education Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, has previously said the government was committed to resolving the dispute as soon as possible.Education Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, has previously said the government was committed to resolving the dispute as soon as possible.
She said the government was "progressing work for an improved offer to be put to teaching unions."She said the government was "progressing work for an improved offer to be put to teaching unions."
Deputy First Minister John Swinney later told Radio Scotland that "continued discussions" would take place throughout the course of Monday in relation to the teaching dispute.Deputy First Minister John Swinney later told Radio Scotland that "continued discussions" would take place throughout the course of Monday in relation to the teaching dispute.
He said the budget for local authorities had been increased by £570m and stressed council cuts should not affect teacher numbers. Mr Swinney said the budget for local authorities had been increased by more than £570m but added he did not underestimate the scale of the difficulties facings local authorities due to "raging inflation".
"I struggle to see how we can close the poverty related attainment gap without maintaining teacher numbers in our schools," he added. He said: "In a really tight financial situation the government has substantially increased the resources available to local government."
"Teachers are vital in that effort." Mr Swinney stressed council cuts should not affect teacher numbers.
Mr Swinney also said he could not have gone further in raising tax. "I struggle to see how we can close the poverty related attainment gap without maintaining teacher numbers in our schools," he added. "Teachers are vital in that effort."
He added: "Anyone who is saying I have not maxed out my option is not making the proper analysis of what I have done." Mr Swinney also said he could not have gone further in raising income tax after announcing in December that everyone earning more than £43,662 in Scotland would have to pay more.
He told Good Morning Scotland: "Anyone who is saying I have not maxed out my option is not making the proper analysis of what I have done."
Related TopicsRelated Topics
TeachingTeaching
Scotland EducationScotland Education
Strike actionStrike action