Row over SNP 'propaganda packs'

More than 2,500 flags have been sent out, which ministers said would make it more of a day of national celebration.

Labour has hit out at the strategy, branding it SNP propaganda.

But Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said she wanted to make St Andrew's Day a big event, adding that steps were being taken to boost education funding.

A total of 2,563 St Andrew's Day packs have been sent, suggesting ways to celebrate 30 November, such as ceilidhs, art exhibitions, dance shows and sports competitions.

"We're really excited about St Andrew's Day this year, and we want to make it a big celebration"
Linda Fabiani
Culture Minister

But the President of Edinburgh University's Students Association, Josh McAlister, said he would rather the money was spent on relieving student debt and supporting further education.

"Sending out a real sign of propaganda, almost, to institutions, I'm not sure its the best use of money," he said.

"A really good way to celebrate Scottish identity is universities themselves."

Not all students at Edinburgh University agreed with his concerns, but his views were echoed by Labour.

The party's business manager Jackie Baillie said the move was a waste of taxpayers' money.

She added: "I would encourage people across the country to celebrate St Andrew's Day but, at the end of the day, this is about the government sending out, at our expense, almost 3,000 flags to people who frankly will find their own means of celebrating that day."

Ms Fabiani said the SNP government wanted to make St Andrew's Day a big event, adding that ministers had already taken steps to scrap the graduate endowment fee and increase college and university funding by £100m.

The minister said: "We're really excited about St Andrew's Day this year, and we want to make it a big celebration. Plenty of countries in the world celebrate their national day."

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