Commenting on the SNP proposals for next week's budget, Conservative Group leader Cllr Michael Veitch said: "The SNP's policy of providing free school meals for all P1-3 pupils in a select few East Lothian schools - regardless of parental income - is manifestly unfair. Under the SNP's policy, a less well-off family living in Dunbar has to subsidise the free schools meals of a wealthier family living in Tranent.
The most needy families will continue to receive free school meals, but free meals for all in only certain schools in the west of the county is a crude mechanism which is grossly unfair to many hard working East Lothian families.
"The people of East Lothian may also be concerned to learn that the SNP capital programme proposes spending less than half of what the Administration intend to spend on coastal protection and flooding, while on coastal car parks and toilets, the SNP would spend around a quarter of what the Administration will be spending.
"Worst of all, the SNP budget lists a new golf and tennis facility in Dunbar and a car park for Longniddry, but fails to allocate a single penny to either project! The people of these communities will not be fooled by fantasy budgeting of this sort."
The SNP capital plan proposes spending of £552k on coastal car parks/toilets. The Administration will be spending over £2m.
The SNP capital plan proposes spending of £476k on coastal protection/flood. The Administration will spend over £1m.