The Latest Breaking News from SQA

The saving to Perth and Kinross Council of from eight days of school closures in February and March triggered by teachers striking should go towards study hubs to help those sitting SQA exams advises Perthshire North MSP John Swinney in a response he made to concerned parents.

Teaching Union the EIS is locked in a bitter pay dispute with the Government.

Unite the Union confirmed the first of a number of strike days will begin today after talks with the Scottish Qualifications Authority did not lead to any breakthroughs.

SQA staff will strike this week and union officials also announced six further dates for strike action in late September and early October, as well as an overtime ban.

Trade union Unite has dismissed a revised average 7 per cent pay deal as a "cynical publicity stunt".

STRIKES at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will go ahead on Thursday, after a new pay offer failed to halt the industrial action.

MSPs accused the Scottish Qualifications Authority of failing pupils for yet another year.

Industrial action has been scheduled for next month amid a pay row

Unite the union said 86.7 per cent of its members voted for industrial action to take place on September 8, 15 and 16, while 85.9 per cent also said they would take action short of a strike.