Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray accused Alex Salmond of “trying to get into the Guinness book of records for the fastest ever broken promise” over Scotland’s literacy programme.

Iain Gray, MSP said:

“Three weeks ago the First Minister agreed with me that eradicating illiteracy should be a national priority. He said the way to deliver it was through his Concordat. Furthermore, he said his Concordat would deliver: ‘all other educational priorities and other vital priorities for this nation.’

“The trouble is you cannot believe a word he says. Everyone knows there is no such things as a free lunch – especially with Alex Salmond. But priorities need resources.

“At the very moment the First Minister was telling us the Concordat was the answer to Scotland’s literacy problems, just up the road, Edinburgh’s SNP Council was planning to cut 6.5 per cent from the budget that funds literacy programme. That’s on top of the 30 per cent cuts already made in key literacy services in the last two years. 

“In Holyrood Alex Salmond supports literacy.  In Edinburgh the SNP cut it.

“Is the First Minister trying for the Guinness book of records for the fastest ever broken promise?

“Alex Salmond does not know or doesn’t care what is happening in communities across Scotland while he is playing celebrity Come Dine with Me. Literacy in Edinburgh – cut; schools in South Ayrshire – cut; 70 education jobs in Renfrewshire – cut.

“Across Scotland there 2000 teachers already gone; 1000 classroom assistants – already gone.

“Protecting our schools is a ‘vital priority for this nation’, but the First Minister failing.

“Alex Salmond will say anything to get him through First Minister’s Questions  but he is doing nothing to protect our children's future when it comes to literacy and education.

“The First Minister couldn’t spell promise never mind deliver one.”

04/02/10