"Previous studies have shown that of the average £5,160 spent on a child's education annually, £1,700 is swallowed up by local government to pay for costs such as transport and school dinners.
In an interview in this newspaper, Alexander said: "I think one of our challenges is whether our 32 local education authorities have got a bit bloated and whether it is wise that one in four pounds of the money devoted to education is held on to for provision of central services."
Has she not read any of the studies that children learn better with a full stomach?

Wendy Caterpillar won't be "cracking down" on anything, because she's NOT the First Minister, and nevre will be.

Hasn't anyone told her that NotLabour lost the last election, and that she and Foulksey will lose it the next?

"fit the bill." surely, "foot the bill." Or are we using guid Scottish pronunciations and spellings now that Scotland is on it's way to FREEDOM!!!

.
Erm, one of the key phrases in this article was:

"Previous studies have indicated".

.... and how previous were previous studies then?
..... and pray tell us Wendy, who were in receipt of those previous studies and who commissioned them for the most part?

.... and now Labour feel they have a responsibility to act on them.

So,what happened to Labour's feelings of responsibility to act in previous administrations,Wendy?

Do tell.
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"I think people like to see politicians co-operating where there is common ground and that common ground is much easier to find with people who are essentially interested in making the UK work."

So my child's education, my father's twilight years, my sister's health and my families economic well-being will only be considered for political co-operation if it is to make the state continue as it is?

No thanks Wendy. I don't need that sort of political narrow mindedness.

Wendy should know as Labour sei up all these groups devouring cash intended for front line services.

It's quite funny really. Wendy, The Mouth, spouting about bloating, when it was her lot of New Labour numpties that are directly responsible for the bloat; and in places like Glasgow and Lanarkshire it is her lot that still have their snouts in the trough.

I see Eddie Barnes is his usual fence sitting objective self disnae lean in any direction politically at all.

Bloated Labour councillors. You simply would not want to be down wind from this lot.

Foulkes and Alexander.

Is that all there is?

here in Fife only 52% gets to schools

Dear Wendy, Foot/Mouth don't complain about thing's that Labour are clearly responsable for,you are after all "The Leader Elect" think before engaging mouth, mind you that won't give you much to talk about since Labour have had 50 years to get it right and guess what, they failed. Scotland no longer want's failure they want sucess this is what we are telling you "The United Coalition of Unionists"

Why don't we get rid rid of the "bloated" numbers of people in government and spend the vast amount of money we would save on more useful things like health and education?

And who created these monsters?

Dear oh dear, the proverbial cringing monkey with a red rosette surfaces again.

“The SNP is not suitably deferential towards London Labour, no Scottish history should be taught in schools in case there is another World Cup, cooker ring elements wearing a fringe may harm the English.”

Calm down George, it is just a sea change in Scottish politics, nothing for you to worry about.
Put your feet up, pour yourself another dram, (put a wee splash of water in this one though!)

The guys in the white coats will be along soon to take you back.

Its a hoot when big 'blaw jaws' Foulkes opens his mouth. No mention your lordship, of Blairs' entertaining at Chequers, sucking up to his luvvie supporters. Give us costs George!
When your at it how much did it cost to fill you fu' ? when you knocked over the pensioner at the commons in a drunken stupor, were you ever charged with that? I know its difficult Lord Blaw, keep your big mouth shut.

Why doesn't George stick to a subject he knows something about, like drunk driving!

It is to be hoped that Wendy's new found zeal for slimmed down local government extends to her previous queendom in Scottish Enterprise where, this very week, the finance director who couldn't count has taken early retirement with another one of those lovely public sector pension payouts that the rest of us can only dream of.
So Wendy, how did you feel about the "bloated" Scottish Enterprise spend of £500m to produce naught but disdain from the bulk of people in industry and a range of "targets" that were softer than a Mr Supersoft Marshmallow....think that expenditure could perhaps have been more usefully targeted at businesses rather than a range of absurd executives?

Why doesn't this irrelevant political dwarf go for a long-long holiday - maybe Westminster in London - and get lost. She then could become a native of the country she seems to adore, for some reason or other.
Can't some one gag her Cherie Blair type yap, and give our people a rest from her Union Flag tripe she
to relish?

She is the SNP's best vote winner.

This bloat has been around since when exactly????
May 3rd 2007 perhaps??????
Just when will the previous incumbents accept that their mess is catching up on them,and we are watching closely!!!!

So his Lordship Baron Foulkes von Cumnock has two jobs.

_,..---..,_
,-"` .'. `"-,
(( '.'.' ))
`'-.,_ ' _,.-'`
`\ `"""""` /`
`""-----""`

Lost out quite a bit in the translation there!!!

So, is she admitting that if these authorities slimmed down they would be able to implement SNP policy? Thank you Wendy, thats what we think too.

What councils would these be? Would Glasgow be the biggest problem? Who rules Glasgow?

Wendy Alexander reminds me of a dog chasing its own tail - she doesn't realise what she is doing until her teeth sink in!

Re "Foulkes renews 'donor dinner' attack"

What about Lord Levy's £6000 farewell bash at Lancaster House? Did Lord George not think an explanation was necessary from the UK auditors as to why all of us taxpayers should have had to foot the bill for a do 'honouring' a dubious Labour Party donor and fundraiser?
What a hypocrite

Does Lord Folkes every say anything which is constructive all, I've read about what he says is very negative a wee bit like saying "you cannae", " We cannae" "This is pointless", "Theres no need for this". Basicly critasing and forget to make positive suggestion. May be has none.

If he doesnae he should be sent for trainning to become a better more effective MSP.

I'm sure Foulkes think he's having a laugh at the expense of the SNP with his schoolboy taunts, but in reality his buffoonery does little but highlight to the electorate that he and Labour have very little real substance.

pathetic article...where has Wendy been all these years of impeccable Labour rule ...bloated local authorities ???? she has never had a real job in her life....like her policy making brother ..spent all their time adding on degrees and swanning off to thje states when their contemporaries were earning their corn ...some in local government