Scottish Liberal Democrats secure over £8.4 million for the City of Edinburgh
Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and mental health spokesperson Rebecca Bell has welcomed additional funding secured by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie in this year’s Scottish budget yesterday at Holyrood.
In negotiations with the Scottish Government, the party secured an additional £1,162,488.10 for the City of Edinburgh council to provide more in-class support to children who need it by topping up the Pupil Equity Fund.
This is money paid directly to headteachers to provide additional support to pupils from less well-off backgrounds. This represents a 16% increase on the current year.
Rebecca Bell said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Liberal Democrats have secured this extra money to help pupils across Edinburgh. Everyone deserves the best possible start in life and with this money we will provide more in-class support to children who need it.
“This funding is so vital just now, as we’ve sadly seen existing inequalities widen during the pandemic, and this financial boost will go directly towards addressing this problem.
“I am also really proud of our party pushing for an extra £120 million for mental health, this money will be spent on services in the community and I know how much these are needed. We had a mental health crisis before Covid-19 struck, and now the demand for treatment has grown rapidly, so we need to support our handworking NHS teams with proper funding.
“We have also managed to push the Government to move on the eye hospital, I am so happy to see this. I don’t want to see services moved out to Livingston, we need to go ahead with the rebuild of the Princess Alexandra as planned, it’s best for patients and best for staff.
“At the forthcoming election Scottish Liberal Democrats will put the recovery first by focusing on the issues that affect people day in, day out. If you elect me as your MSP I promise to stand up for education, jobs and mental health.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “People expect parties to work together in the middle of a pandemic. Our focus has been to put recovery first.
“We have highlighted the need for business support, an education bounce back plan, and better mental health services, given the pressure we know that the virus crisis has put on people.
“These proposals show the impact that Liberal Democrat MSPs can make, balancing important national matters with targeted local support for our constituents and putting the recovery first.
“That’s what you get with Scottish Liberal Democrat MSPs.”
The Scottish Green Party had earlier pledged their support for the SNP’s budget, thus ensuring it would be passed.
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