Ring-fencing no solution to cuts

We must fight against cuts in education expenditure but we also need to avoid ring-fencing that undercuts core services.

This was UNISON's Bob Revie's message to the STUC in an amendment accepted by the EIS teachers' union.

"Ring fencing of budget allocations prevents local authorities from deciding their own priorities and finding local solutions to their problems", said Bob.

"We strongly believe that allocating money for specific projects undermines and undercuts the core services being delivered by local government".

Ring-fencing does not protect jobs and services it just lets central government take even more control of local services.

"The Scottish Executive cannot micromanage local services. People want more, not less say in their local services.

"Local government should have more, not less control over spending decisions so giving people more control over services in their areas", insisted Bob. That way it would be more accountable to its electorate for its spending decisions, including any cuts in education.

headlines . top