Jackie McNamara calls on city council to kick out cutbacks

A SCOTTISH footballing legend has warned Edinburgh city council not to make drastic cuts to the city's adult literacy services.

Jackie McNamara, who played for Celtic and captained Hibs, made his call ahead of Thursday's council announcement on which services will be axed to implement cuts of 90 million over the next three years.

Mr McNamara, 57, who gives talks at the weekly "Glory and Dismay" adult literacy classes held at Hearts FC, said the classes, which are not a statutory provision unlike services such as social work, had already suffered 30 per cent cuts over the past two years.

He also warned that adult learners were an "easy target" because they were not a powerful lobby.

"We live in an obscene society and the first ones who get persecuted are the vulnerable ones, they cop it all the time," he said.

"The council is like every bureaucracy, it's profit before people, same as the bankers. They will target the weakest and probably get bonuses for getting rid of the classes and sacking the staff."

Marilyne MacLaren, city education leader, said: "Literacy is a high priority for the council.

"The council is committed to providing free literacy."