Over 300 million pounds have been cut from local authority funding for enhancement initiatives within Scotland's educational institutions and learning programs.
Recent data released by the Scottish Government indicates that funding allocated by local authorities for educational infrastructure initiatives decreased by over 25% during the previous year.
In the fiscal year 2024/25, capital spending on education amounted to £1.169 billion, although a 'provisional result' for 2025/26 indicates a decrease of £332 million, bringing it down to just £837 million.
It is expected to increase once more to precisely £1.0 billion this year – however, this amount remains £169 million less compared to two years back.
In addition to schools, municipalities are also accountable for kindergartens and certain community-based training initiatives.
Scottish Conservative education spokesperson Meghan Gallacher stated: 'These alarming statistics illustrate the effects of the SNP The harsh and structured lack of funding for Scottish local authorities.
'It's disgraceful and intolerable that our kids, along with their educators and caregivers, are stuck using deteriorating schools and nurseries — yet this is the situation we face when funding for infrastructure is reduced so drastically.'
'Scotland's local governments have been restricted due to prolonged insufficient funding from SNP officials. Municipal bodies struggle to meet daily expenses, making it unavoidable that essential infrastructure initiatives are being postponed.'
The Nationals would not need to implement these reductions if they controlled their unmanageable perks budget.
'Crumbling school facilities add to the SNP's list of educational shortcomings. With unfulfilled commitments regarding teaching staff and Scotland's decline in global academic rankings, along with a surge in classroom aggression, the performance under John Swinney's administration has been poor.'
A reduction in funding allocated for education was overlooked within a Scottish Government report examining the 'provisional outcome' of local government finances for 2025/26 and projected budgets for 2026/27.
The general fund's net revenue spending on local authority daily operations was initially recorded at £16.5 billion for 2025-26 and planned at £17.2 billion for 2026-27.
Local authority capital spending amounted to £4.78 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25 and is preliminarily recorded at £4.46 billion for 2025-26, reflecting a drop of 6.7 percent. The projected figure for 2026-27 stands at £5.3 billion.
According to data from the Scottish Government regarding the school infrastructure, 581 institutions were reported to be in good shape during the previous year, 1,670 received a satisfactory rating, 189 were classified as poor, and six were considered to be in a bad state.
Education Minister Màiri McAllan stated: 'This is entirely incorrect and a last-ditch effort by the Conservatives to undermine Scotland's outstanding educational system.'
The truth is, the 2026-27 Budget, which the Conservatives refused to support, offers Scottish local authorities an all-time high of nearly £15.7 billion to maintain essential public services such as schooling.
'Over the past years under the SNP, more than 1,100 schools have been constructed or improved, with recent data indicating that 92 percent of Scotland's schools are currently rated as 'good' or 'satisfactory'. This marks an increase from 62 percent during our previous period.'
'We also boast the smallest student-to-teacher ratios across the UK, with educators receiving some of the highest salaries. A historic number of students are moving into successful paths after leaving school, and our educational institutions are achieving unprecedented standards in reading and mathematical skills.'
'We are committed to continuing this advancement and funding our educational institutions and educators, and we will achieve this without shifting financial burdens onto the least fortunate members of our community.'
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