THE Scottish Government's promise to make education its top priority has been branded a "con" by Scottish Labour after new budget analysis showed cuts to support for the poorest students.
The party highlighted figures produced by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Spice), which showed a drop in funding for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) from £39.6 million in the 2016/17 draft budget to £29.6 million in 2017/18.
EMAs provide financial support to eligible 16 to 19-year-olds who want to continue studying at school or college.
However, the Scottish Government said the fund was demand led and stressed anyone who was eligible who applied would receive cash.
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The Spice figures also show a drop in the "Inspiring Scotland's 14-19-year-olds" fund, from £4 million in 2016/17 to £3 million in 2017/18.
The fund invests in projects to help disadvantaged young people into education, training or employment.
Employment and training interventions funding - aimed at improving young people's job prospects - is also down from £12.8 million to £11.4 million, according to the figures.
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Labour's education spokesman Iain Gray said: "These cuts reveal the SNP's promises to make education its priority to be nothing more than a shameless pre-election con.
"This budget cuts support for the poorest students to stay on at school or college - that's an incredible priority for a Government which seemingly wants to cut the attainment gap between the richest and the rest.
"If demand for EMA is 6% down then that does not explain a 25% budget cut."
He added: "Young people need all the support they can get to make the most of the opportunities of school or college, it beggars belief that the SNP Government plans to slash that support while claiming to care about education.
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"These cuts are on top of £327 million pounds of cuts to local councils who provide the funding for our schools and social care."
Labour plans to table amendments to the budget, which will use new powers over income tax to boost spending on public services.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have prioritised and invested in young people and Scotland now has a higher youth employment rate than the UK.
“EMA is an entitlement in Scotland which means that any applicant who meets the eligibility criteria will receive financial support.
"Unlike the rest of the UK, the EMA has been protected in Scotland. This reflects the anticipated spend on EMA and ensures we make the best use of the resources available to support young people."
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