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"The human cost of poor living conditions is evident, with long-term impacts on community cohesion, educational attainment, public health, and economic productivity," said Mr Blakeway.

Nicola Sturgeon famously made closing the attainment gap her top priority.

Last year's marks fell to lower levels than before the Covid pandemic and international testing has suggested a long-term decline in Scottish educational attainment.

Many people also wanted to see investment put towards improving older school buildings and attainment.

The attainment gap between Scotland's richest and poorest school pupils increased last year, according to new figures.