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Liz Smith MSP, Scottish Conservative Education Spokesperson, said:

“If there is one whole sector in Scottish education which has made the most substantial progress in recent years it is the college sector. It has delivered excellence in many aspects of its institutions, transformed the quality of college courses as well as widening access to many students – of all ages – who, in previous times, would not have been able to take advantage of further education.

“Since the Conservative Government granted them their independence in 1992, they have enjoyed much greater autonomy and much greater flexibility which has allowed them to adapt to the demands of their local regions, to build much better links with other educational institutions and to develop courses around the very different needs of individual students.

“As a parliament, we pay tribute to that work and to the enthusiastic manner in which they have set about the current challenges which face them. They have, in the vast majority of cases, an outstanding record, and that is why they are, quite rightly, both puzzled and upset that, despite these achievements, they are being asked to accept the brunt of the spending cuts in this year’s Spending Review: cuts which come hard and fast on the back of an average10% reduction in budgets last year.

“John Spencer, Convenor of Scotland’s Colleges said last week that it was inconceivable that colleges would be able to absorb more cuts without harm being done to student places, staffing, or to the quality of courses – cuts which could amount to over 20% in real terms assuming that student  support is maintained at a flat cash level. In real terms, the FE sector is being asked to cope with current funding cuts of £544m to £435m 2011-15 whilst it watches the HE sector get an increase from £926m to £982m.

“So why, has the Scottish government chosen to punish the colleges so hard, particularly at a time when these very same colleges will be integral to the new Scottish Government flagship policy of offering opportunities to all 16-19 year olds; at a time when unemployment amongst young people is high; and when businesses across Scotland have heaped praise upon the college sector for its ability to train more students and apprentices in the new skills required for today’s fast-changing world? Surely, there is no logic to this at all.

“But let me suggest one reason why the Scottish Government has taken this action; it is because of its persistent refusal to bring in additional sources of private income to higher education, thereby putting additional strain on the whole education budget. And it can’t say it doesn’t approve of the principle of asking anyone to pay, because just ask any RUK student about that.

“Along with many in the university sector and also many public figures like Lord Sutherland or Sir Andrew Cubie, the Scottish Conservatives have persistently argued that free higher education is unsustainable, and we maintain that position notwithstanding the claims from the Scottish Government that it will plug the funding gap for the next 3 years.  But, at what price? 

“The Scottish Government cannot get away from the fact that 1,000 staff have been shed in the FE sector so far this year, that the school/College partnership work has been significantly reduced and, despite claims to the contrary, the number of learners has decreased.

“Nor can the Scottish Government any longer claim that there cannot be greater flexibility in its budget decisions about HE and FE. Until budget year 2010-11, the Scottish Government had separate budget lines for capital expenditure for the two sectors but for budget years beyond that the Scottish Funding council has one pot for both sectors so the Scottish government can no long claim that its hands are tied. There is new scope for flexibility and therefore there should be much greater scope for a more equitable share between the two sectors.

“Now, I do not take issue for a minute with the Scottish Government’s, and the Scottish Funding Council’s, desire to examine whether or not both HE and FE are delivering best value for money and I do not doubt for a minute that some rationalisation is necessary – even some mergers in the future, but let’s hope the handling of these are not condensed in to a six week period like the disgraceful situation at Abertay/Dundee, tellingly described by Lord Sutherland at the Education Committee on Tuesday this week as a “merger by fax”.

“Reform is essential, but so too is the continuing autonomy of the sector and their desire to be an equal part of any tripartite discussions which must take place between the Scottish Government, the Scottish Funding Council and the colleges themselves.

 “But apart from all this, let me just concentrate for a minute on the Scottish Government’s priorities.  It has made it very plain that there is to be much greater focus on the provision of opportunities for 16-24 year olds and especially those in the 16-19 age groups – a laudable ambition but why then cut the resources from colleges?

 “By definition, they will be expected to play a very key role in this initiative which, we should understand, will make additional demands on the college sector. But let us not forget that there are many other student groups at college – part-time students, mature students and a minority of apprentices, who are core to the work of colleges.

“How will they fare if more demands are laid on colleges to help with the 16-19 reform at the same time as crippling budget cuts? And what will happen to the provision of HE places, 28% of the total HE provision, especially for students from disadvantaged areas? Does this really sit well with the principles which underpin the SNP’s programme for government – I don’t think so.

“Presiding Officer, I return to where I began by praising the outstanding work which has been undertaken by the college sector over recent years. They have coped admirably with the challenges put upon them and they are undoubtedly a hugely important part of the improvements in post school education. They should be congratulated rather than be punished by a government which has muddled its priorities and ended up with a total lack of coherency in FE and HE policy.”