9th February 2026
Okay First the Scottish Government Statement and further down a dissection of the reality on the ground for schools. The headline figures mask what happens at the school level.
19.7% increase over the decade.
Spending on schools across Scotland has increased by more than £1 billion in real terms over the past decade, official statistics show.
Data published this week shows that local authority funding across Primary, Secondary and Special schools rose to £7 billion in 2024-25, up 19.7% from £5.8 billion in 2014-15.
Average spending per pupil across Primary and Secondary schools also rose by more than £1,000 in real terms over the same period, reaching £8,683.
Local government education expenditure in Scotland in 2024-25 was £8.3 billion, which is 27% higher than in 2014-15 in real terms - a cash terms increase of 71%.
Pre-primary education expenditure has more than doubled in real terms over the past decade to £1.1 billion in 2024-25, up from £516 million in 2015-16, with 95% of this going on the delivery of the 1140 hours early learning and childcare offer.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said:
"This investment underlines the Scottish Government's commitment to education, working in partnership with councils, and means Scotland has the best paid teachers in the UK, the lowest pupil-teacher ratio and the highest education spending per head in the UK.
"Schools are delivering literacy and numeracy attainment at the highest levels on record, with a record low attainment gap for literacy and numeracy in primary and secondary schools. Attendance has improved, class sizes are smaller, and there are more teachers in Scotland's classrooms.
"Last year's exam results also showed there were more passes at every level compared to 2024, while the total number of Higher entries passed the landmark 200,000 level for the first time since Curriculum for Excellence was introduced in 2010. We have also made strong progress on widening access to higher education regardless of background or circumstance, with record numbers of young Scots in 2025 securing university places in Scotland who will benefit from free tuition.
"As we reflect on progress over the past ten years we are also looking to the future with local authorities and headteachers, to agree how best we might collectively go further and faster."
And the reality
Why Budgets Feel Tight
Inflation & Rising Costs
Even with headline increases, inflation erodes real value. Energy bills, food costs, and staff wages have risen faster than budget uplifts, leaving schools squeezed.
Flat Local Government Funding
Councils, who actually run schools, received a "flat cash" settlement of £13.5 billion. With no real-terms growth, councils struggle to cover rising costs, meaning schools don't see much of the headline increase.
Ring-Fenced Spending
Much of the £1 billion is earmarked for specific reforms or initiatives (e.g., digital learning, curriculum changes), not day-to-day essentials like classroom supplies or support staff.
Council Tax Freeze
The Scottish Government's council tax freeze limits councils’ ability to raise extra revenue locally, further tightening school budgets.
Impact on Pupils’ Education
Staffing Pressures: While Scotland still boasts one of the best teacher-pupil ratios in the UK, schools face difficulty hiring support staff (classroom assistants, specialist teachers) due to budget constraints.
Resource Shortages
Pupils may experience fewer extracurricular activities, outdated materials, or reduced subject choice in secondary schools.
Equity Concerns
Schools in deprived areas are hit hardest, as they rely more on discretionary council spending for breakfast clubs, mental health support, and after-school programmes.
Reform vs Reality
Government reforms (curriculum changes, digital investment) may look good on paper, but if schools are cutting basics, pupils feel the gap between policy ambition and classroom reality.
The Bigger Picture
This tension reflects a wider Scottish budget challenge: the government highlights headline increases, but local authorities—who deliver services—operate under flat or shrinking real-terms budgets. The result is a disconnect between national announcements and local classroom experience.
Big numbers over 10 years sound good but in real terms thing have declined on several levels. Ask any head teacher, teachers and their unions, classroom assistants and parents who see the reality.
Institute for Fiscal Studies report
IFS report Feb 2025