Further funding cuts from the Scottish government could significantly impact Glasgow City Council's education budget, leading to reduced teacher numbers and other budgetary challenges.

The removal of further funding from the Scottish Government could cause “significant concerns” on the impact on Glasgow City Council’s teaching numbers.

During Thursday’s full council meeting, councillor Christina Cannon advised members that although the local authority had not received any official information on a “clawback of funding” , less money being awarded to the council would have “significant consequences” for the education budget.

It comes after councillor Blair Anderson questioned what impact the Scottish Government’s decision to withhold £145 million from local authorities would have on Glasgow’s teaching numbers.

Councillor Christina Cannon explained: “Glasgow City Council’s allocation of the £145.5 million that is ring fenced for teachers from the Scottish Government is £16.49 million.

“Clearly if any further money is taken away from the council consequences would be significant and this would result in an even more difficult budget setting process.

“The council is already in an extremely difficult financial climate and tough decisions have had to be made as a result of various factors we have talked about in the chamber before.”

Councillor Anderson then said there seemed to be a consensus the council didn’t want fewer teachers and just disagreed on how to fund teaching posts.

He continued: “Having confirmed that the clawback, if it does go ahead, will leave Glasgow worse off to the tune of £16.5 million, does the convenor recognise that either means hundreds of fewer teachers than there is already which is already projected to be the case, or savage cuts to additional sports needs for education and workers elsewhere in the education budget.

“Will she pass on that we all want more teachers but we need more money and not less.”

Christina Cannon responded: “The council has not received any official information on any clawback but any less money coming to the council would have significant consequences not only on the education budget but perhaps budgets across the council as well.”