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Rennie to outline schools funding plan at Lib Dem conference Scottish Lib Dem conference: Leader Rennie outlines £475m boost for education
(about 5 hours later)
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie is to set out the details of his plans to boost education spending at the party's spring conference. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has used his Edinburgh conference speech to lay out his plans to boost education spending.
The Lib Dems want to add 1p to income tax bands to raise £475m to invest in Scotland's schools. He wants to add 1p to income tax bands of Scottish workers to raise £475m to invest in the country's schools.
Mr Rennie will tell delegates he wants to use £170m of the money raised to create a "pupil premium" for children who need extra support. Mr Rennie told delegates £170m of the money raised would be used to create a "pupil premium" for children who needed extra support.
He said Lib Dems wanted "every individual to achieve their potential".
Holyrood's 2016/17 budget was passed without any tax rises on Wednesday.Holyrood's 2016/17 budget was passed without any tax rises on Wednesday.
Both Labour and the Lib Dems used the budget debate to call for an increase in income tax to protect and invest in services.Both Labour and the Lib Dems used the budget debate to call for an increase in income tax to protect and invest in services.
The Lib Dems are hosting their spring conference at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on Friday and Saturday. In his speech, Mr Rennie said that his party had four priorities for children and young people. They included:
Ahead of addressing delegates on Friday afternoon, Mr Rennie took part in a BBC news online webchat in which he answered questions from the public. Mr Rennie said that the plans would be paid for by putting one penny on income tax which would "secure a £475m return".
He added that the "pupil premium" would be worth £1,400 for each pupil who needed "extra support at primary" and £900 for "every secondary pupil from a disadvantaged background".
Mr Rennie explained: "Our pupil premium will put money into every classroom. Every school gets money for children from poorer backgrounds.
"That's enough for more teachers for one-to-one help, for homework clubs or for extra equipment.
"That is how you close the attainment gap; by making the investment, by giving the life chances, and by backing your words up with action."
'Modest contribution'
Ahead of addressing delegates at the Assembly Rooms on Friday afternoon, Mr Rennie took part in a BBC news online webchat in which he answered questions from the public.
He confirmed that his penny proposal would apply to all tax payers, including those on the standard rate.He confirmed that his penny proposal would apply to all tax payers, including those on the standard rate.
Mr Rennie told BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor: "Because of the personal allowance, and the fact that we raised that personal allowance, you would have to earn over £19,000 to pay more.Mr Rennie told BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor: "Because of the personal allowance, and the fact that we raised that personal allowance, you would have to earn over £19,000 to pay more.
"I think that is progressive and fair, because income tax is a progressive tax - those on the lowest income, even those above £19,000, are paying a fraction of what those in positions like myself who are earning a decent salary.""I think that is progressive and fair, because income tax is a progressive tax - those on the lowest income, even those above £19,000, are paying a fraction of what those in positions like myself who are earning a decent salary."
'Modest contribution'
He said it was right that the money raised was spent on education.He said it was right that the money raised was spent on education.
Mr Rennie added: "It is a benefit to everyone in society. So, I think we will benefit all round.Mr Rennie added: "It is a benefit to everyone in society. So, I think we will benefit all round.
"It is a modest contribution we are asking them [standard tax payers] to make for a big return.""It is a modest contribution we are asking them [standard tax payers] to make for a big return."
Delegates at the two-day gathering will also hear from UK Lib Dem leader Tim Farron who is due to address them on Saturday afternoon.Delegates at the two-day gathering will also hear from UK Lib Dem leader Tim Farron who is due to address them on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Rennie is expected to use his conference speech to reveal his "four priorities" for children and young people; "expanding nursery education, implementing a 'pupil premium', stopping cuts to schools and repairing cuts to colleges".
The pupil premium format would include £1,400 for primary school pupils who need extra support, and £900 for every secondary pupil from a poorer background.
Help for poorer pupils
Mr Rennie will say: "Our pupil premium will put money into every classroom. Every school gets money for children from poorer backgrounds.
"That's enough for more teachers for one-to-one help, for homework clubs or for extra equipment.
"That is how you close the attainment gap; by making the investment, by giving the life chances, and by backing your words up with action."
The SNP did not support increasing income tax in this year's budget, although ministers have said they will consider "progressive" tax regimes in future when more powers are devolved under the Scotland Bill.
Finance Secretary John Swinney argued that a rise in income tax rates at this stage would hit the country's lowest-paid workers.