EDUCATION unions and parents throughout Scotland have united to end the “national scandal” of cuts in support for pupils with additional support needs (ASN).

Nearly 40 per cent of Scotland’s school-age population require extra support in education, but after more than a decade of cuts in local government budgets, and councils cutting teaching posts as they face the toughest settlement from the Scottish government since devolution, concerns are growing over the impact on vulnerable students.

National Parent Forum of Scotland chairwoman Cheryl Burnett warned the situation was now at “crisis point.”