Pringle Challengers SNP on Local Schools

5.34.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 5th Oct 2007

Mike Pringle and Marilyne MacLaren are lobbying hard for investment in our schools

Edinburgh South MSP Mike has continued to probe the Scottish Government after plans for a £100 million revamp of schools in Edinburgh including Boroughmuir and James Gillespie's appeared to have been scrapped.

The previous Labour administration was under the impression that the money for Edinburgh schools had been earmarked and the new Lib Dem-led administration, including Education Convenor Councillor Marilyne Maclaren, had been working under this assumption. In a complete U-turn the SNP Government at Holyrood has told Edinburgh that there is no money for the much needed improvements to Boroughmuir and James Gillespie's. Mike has lodged a parliamentary question to find out what money the Scottish Government intends to give to Edinburgh.

Commenting after Alex Salmond was quizzed on the scheme at First Ministers Questions he said, "Edinburgh contributes hugely to the Scottish Economy and does not receive its fair share of public expenditure. This school refurbishment is long overdue and I intend to make sure that this issue is not forgotten in Parliament."