Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP and UK Labour Party leader Keith Starmer.
By Lucy Ashton
Action must be taken now to tackle the ‘ingrained’ inequality revealed by education outcome statistics published today, Scottish Labour has said.
Statistics published this morning have shown that there is a shocking £3,600 per annum difference in median graduate earnings between those from the most and the least deprived backgrounds.
The statistics also show a shameful £1,800 overall difference between males and females, with disabled people earning on average £2,200 less.
Today, Keir Starmer outlined Labour’s mission to ensure that no child will be held back due to their background through measures such as closing tax loopholes for private schools, tackling gender, age and disability pay gaps and supporting public services.
Scottish Labour has today said that this must be a clarion call for action to tackle inequality throughout Scottish education.
Scottish Labour education spokesperson Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP said: “These statistics lay bare the level of ingrained inequality that thousands of young people in Scotland face.
“It is clear to see that people from the most deprived backgrounds, women and disabled people are being held back and are earning less after they graduate than others.
“This is deeply unfair and it doesn’t have to be that way.
“We must do everything we can to ensure that there is a level playing field for all – and the report out today shows that there is still so much work to be done.
“That’s why today Keir Starmer outlined Labour’s mission to ensure that no child will be held back because of their background through measures such as closing tax loopholes for private schools, tackling gender, age and disability pay gaps and supporting public services. Labour will improve life chances for everyone.
“And so today I call on the SNP’s Education Secretary [Jenny Gilruth] to work with Scottish Labour to make sure that every student in Scotland – regardless of their background and circumstances – is given a fair chance to succeed.”