A steady decline in education funding is having an tangible impact on children's ability to learn, according to an MSP.

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesman Liam McArthur criticised the Scottish Government after new figures indicated spending per pupil has fallen in real terms since 2009.

Answers to parliamentary questions revealed annual spending per primary pupil fell by £568 between 2009-10 and 2014-15. The fall in spending for secondary schools was £412 per pupil over this period and £812 per student in colleges.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced new council tax reforms will generate a further £100m to be invested in schools but Mr McArthur believes that does not go far enough.

He said: "Nicola Sturgeon tells us that education is her priority but on her government’s watch pupils at primary schools, secondary schools and colleges have been on the receiving end of real terms cuts to funding.

"This is before you consider the possible impact of the massive education cuts that the SNP have forced on to councils for next year. The situation is only going to get worse and our children deserve better.

"The situation in our education system is urgent. We need additional investment now to help close the attainment gap and the extra money announced by the First Minister today does not go nearly far enough.

"That is why Liberal Democrats have called for a penny for education to raise £475m a year to support pupils at schools, increase nursery care, boost our colleges and head off the SNP’s swingeing cuts.”

Last week, finance secretary John Swinney announced an extra £80m over three years for the Attainment Scotland Fund, a scheme that supports pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Paisley SNP MSP George Adam said the additional funding showed education was a "key priority" for the Scottish Government.

He said: "The SNP in government has cut class sizes, halved the number of schools in poor condition and there are now record numbers of our young people going on to further or higher education, training or employment.

"Education is a key priority for the SNP and we're investing £180m over four years in tackling the gap in attainment between those from low income and high-income backgrounds – while our changes to the council tax will see an extra £100m raised for education each year.

"I expect that Lib Dem plans to raise tax on low-income families and pensioners will be roundly rejected by Scottish voters."