SCOTLAND’S Constitutional Relations Secretary has warned that the Westminster Government is preparing to seize control of Scotland’s public services.
Hitting out after First Minister’s Questions, Michael Russell said the Scottish Tories were “laying the groundwork” for Boris Johnson’s administration to take over.
He tweeted: “#SNPBad is now the only focus of Tory questions in @ScotParl.
“They are determined to undermine confidence in, and of, public services in Scotland and prepare the ground for the UK Gov to take them over & ruin them as they have south of the border.”
#SNPBad is now the only focus of Tory questions in @ScotParl. They are determined to undermine confidence in , and of, public services in Scotland and prepare the ground for the U.K. Gov to take them over & ruin them as they have south of the border.
— Michael Russell (@Feorlean) January 30, 2020
READ MORE: Boris Johnson threatens to take control of Scottish NHS
AT FMQs, the Tories accused the SNP Government of "unmitigated failure" on education, after figures showed pass rates for two-thirds of Highers have fallen in the last five years.
But Nicola Sturgeon pointed out pass rates are still rising in the majority of the 10 most popular Higher subjects.
She told MSPs: "The 10 top subjects in our education system, the ones that there are the highest number of entries for, the ones that most pupils do, the majority of them compared to 2015 have pass rates that have improved."
READ MORE: FACT CHECK: Claim SNP have 'abject failings' on education
These subjects include maths, physics, chemistry, biology, modern studies and geography, the First Minister added.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly criticised the SNP for supposed mismanagement of public services, despite the fact Scotland consistently outperforms other parts of the UK.
Johnson warned in October that the Holyrood would “forfeit all right to manage” the NHS if investment and waiting times did not improve.
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