Labour to give Scots state schools £150m funding boost over tax break clampdown

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Anas Sarwar has promised a £150 million boost for state schools to spend on new teachers and breakfast clubs.The Scottish Labour leader told the Record the cash will come from a Keir Starmer Government slapping VAT on private school fees.Starmer last week unveiled plans for raising £7.3 billion through targeted tax rises, including £1.5bn from independent schools.Scottish Labour’s manifesto will be launched today and a key part will focus on Holyrood’s share of the funds from closing tax loopholes for elite schools.Speaking to the Record, Sarwar said the £150m will boost the number of teachers for kids with additional support needs.He also wants the money to combat hunger by providing free breakfasts for pupils - a key part of his anti-poverty agenda.His commitment comes after councils accused the SNP Government of starving schools of money and warned of looming cuts to teachers.Sarwar said: “I want the SNP Government to use the removal of the VAT exemption on private schools to invest in state schools.”He said the £150m should “close the gaps” in state schools and lead to “more teachers, not fewer teachers” being hired.Labour are on course for a huge win on July 4, but the contest in Scotland could be tighter.Polls show Sarwar’s party is in line to leapfrog the SNP to come first, but the margins are tight.He said the 134 page manifesto, simply entitled Change, will show how UK Labour policies will benefit Scotland.He said proposals for a genuine living wage will boost the pay packets of 232,000 Scots, including 40,000 eighteen to twenty year olds.Sarwar also confirmed the cash for scrapping the non-dom status would pay for 160,000 NHS appointments.He also wants the apprenticeship levy to be overhauled through firms and