Disabled suffering as cuts bite, say parents

DISABLED children and those with additional support needs are suffering due to cuts being made in Scotland’s schools, it has been warned.

The Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC) made the claims as it launched its manifesto for the local elections.

The group said those with additional needs had been “an early victim” of savings being made by cash-strapped councils.

According to the SPTC’s manifesto, which has been launched for May’s local council elections, the cuts amount to “an unacceptable attack on those children who are the most vulnerable”.

It states: “Parents report that services for young people with additional support needs have been an early victim of financial pressures.”

It adds: “We believe this is an unacceptable attack on those children who are most vulnerable.”

The SPTC, a charitable body representing parents, said reduced special-needs budgets were part of a wider trend which has “gone beyond efficiency savings”.