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| Scottish Lib Dem conference: Rennie outlines £475m boost for education | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has used his Edinburgh conference speech to lay out his plans to boost education spending. | Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has used his Edinburgh conference speech to lay out his plans to boost education spending. |
| He wants to add 1p to income tax bands of Scottish workers to raise £475m to invest in the country'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 told delegates £170m of the money raised would be used to create a "pupil premium" for children who needed 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". | 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. |
| In his speech, Mr Rennie said that his party had four priorities for children and young people. They included: | In his speech, Mr Rennie said that his party had four priorities for children and young people. They included: |
| Mr Rennie said that the plans would be paid for by putting one penny on income tax which would "secure a £475m return". | 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". | 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. | 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'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." | "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' | '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. | 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." |
| 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. |