26 May 2006
A bigger share of public expenditure must be invested in education over the next two decades if Scotland is to compete internationally and combat poverty and inequality, First Minister Jack McConnell said this week.
Speaking at Stirling University, where he studied 30 years ago, McConnell stressed that more spending was needed not only on school education but on learning throughout life.
'Perhaps our greatest national asset – education and learning – is as vital, if not more vital than ever before, if we are both to compete internationally in the twenty-first century and secure a more productive, cohesive and successful Scotland,' he said.
'It may mean significant change in the way services are managed and delivered. And it may mean expansion at different points of the system.'
The first minister was speaking on his vision for Scotland as he unveiled details of a major study of what the country will look like in 20 years' time.
This showed a Scotland where people live longer, spend more time alone, have fewer children and where there are increasing health disparities between rich and poor.
According to statistics contained in a series of documents produced as part of the Scottish Executive's 'Futures Project,' 30% of the population are expected to be over 60 by 2025, while one in six will be over 70. By 2016, it is estimated that almost one in five people will be living alone.
The study showed that if trends continue, Scots will have fewer children and experience more family transitions, including living alone for a large part of their lives.
For those born into poor households, the gap with the most affluent could have widened even further in terms of health unless the Scottish Executive, UK government, EU policies and individuals alter the current trend, a report of the study states.
Poverty and inequality remained at the root of Scotland's greater weaknesses and McConnell said it could not be right that, while most young Scots did well at school, one in 20 left with no formal qualifications.
The number of 16–19 year olds not in education, employment or training was poor by international standards.
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