Andrew Burns hits out at city learning plan in wake of nursery cuts

LABOUR leader Councillor Andrew Burns has criticised council bosses for launching an action plan designed to improve early years education just weeks after slashing nursery provision.

The Early Years Strategy and Action Plan, which will be launched at a conference in the Capital this week, is designed to develop learning services for children up to the age of eight.

Cllr Burns said: "An early years action plan is all well and good, but to launch it days after the Lib Dem/SNP coalition slashed early years budgets seems ironic.

"The budget passed just last month will almost certainly see three nursery schools close in the city, as well as the funding for full-time nursery places, SureStart Centres and childcare grants being reduced drastically."