The SNP Group on Glasgow City Council today responded to the proposal to close 25 primary schools and nurseries in Glasgow.

Councillor Billy McAllister, Deputy Leader of the Opposition said: "These proposals for Glasgow’s primary school estate represent a huge change to the school estate and will affect thousands of children across the city.

"Each closure case should be considered on its merits and not just be included as part of a blanket of cuts.  We understand that it makes sense to pay for the education of children in good quality accommodation, rather than heating half-empty classrooms, but would ask that any changes are based on local, rather than budget, needs."

Councillor Patricia Gibson, Education spokeswoman for the SNP, added: "Labour’s claims that the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) is unready to meet the needs of Glasgow schools are simply not true.  The SFT is already being used to fund NHS Hubs in the north and south of Scotland and we understand that discussions are underway between the SFT, a number of councils, COSLA and the Scottish Government with a view to the SFT being used for school projects by the end of 2009. 

"Taxpayers in Glasgow will be paying for Labour’s discredited PPP secondary school project for decades; that Labour-controlled Glasgow has chosen not to be among the councils working constructively with the Scottish Government on the SFT proposal is very disappointing."