Corbyn puts spotlight on education during Scotland trip

Putting money into education is “the single most important investment” a government can make, Jeremy Corbyn today declared during a trip to Scotland. Corbyn praised Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, who was also elected this summer, saying that the party was once again starting to represent “working Scots”.

After being elected two weeks ago, Corbyn and new deputy leader Tom Watson promised to visit Scotland at least once a month in the run up to next year’s Holyrood elections, with polls suggesting Scottish Labour are heading for another wipeout. This was Corbyn’s first Scotland visit as leader, but made several visits during the campaign, making speeches to packed halls in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. He also received a full-throated endorsement from the Daily Record.

Education is seen as one of the SNP’s weaknesses, having presided over growing classroom numbers, falling teacher numbers, and a widening attainment gap between children from poor and rich backgrounds. Dugdale has proposed a “fair tax” system to boost investment in Scottish schools. This comes on the same day that Labour confirmed that a complete scrapping of the tuition fee system in universities will be considered by the party.

Corbyn, who was also treated to his first taste of Irn-Bru on the trip, said:

“Kezia Dugdale is a Labour leader who wants to use the powers coming to the Scottish Parliament to change the lives of thousands of children.

“Investing in education is a no-brainier; it cuts poverty and grows the economy.

“A skilled and educated workforce ready to grab the industries and jobs of tomorrow is in the interest of every single family in Scotland. That’s why Kezia is absolutely right to focus on it, and to use fair taxes to invest in it.

“Investing in our young people is the single most important investment a government can make.”

Corbyn also said that Dugdale’s proposals will help to “deliver the best possible start in life for every child”. He added that “under Kezia Labour is the party of working Scots and everyone who doesn’t get a fair shout again.”

Dugdale said that Corbyn’s success had been down the fact he “puts fairness first”. She said:

“The gap between the richest and the rest in our schools is holding our communities back. If every child in Scotland has the best possible start in life then the opportunities in front of them will be limitless.

“That’s why I want to cut the gap between the rich and the rest in our schools, and I’ll use fair taxes to do it.”