Labour slams rise in school room hire for youth groups

EDINBURGH'S Labour group has condemned increased charges for youth groups using school rooms.

The council has approved a report that will see school room hire charges rise from 1 April.

Councillor Ricky Henderson, Labour's education spokesman, said: "We opposed these increased charges because they are tax increases by the back door.

"One example is a local Brownies pack who were paying 3.20 for a room in 2008.

"This increased to 7 last year and will be 10.50 on 1 April with this latest increase.

"We all do our best to encourage youngsters to be more active but we're in danger of pricing them out of the ability to do so."