MSPs urged to scrap college cuts

Jan 13 2013

More than 2,000 people have written to their MSPs, calling on them to reverse proposed cuts to college budgets.

The National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland campaign has generated almost 16,000 emails to Holyrood's politicians through its Fund Scotland's Future website.

Each of the 2,000 students, lecturers and members of the public who have joined the campaign have emailed their constituency MSP and seven regional list MSPs urging them to work to secure more money for the sector.

Students' associations are also seeking commitments from MSPs to make college funding a priority in the upcoming budget negotiations and protect college funding at current levels.

A previous campaign led to an extra £40 million being put back into the budget, the NUS said.

Graeme Kirkpatrick, vice president of education, NUS Scotland, said: "It's great that in just the past month thousands of people in Scotland have contacted their MSPs about reversing the proposed cuts to colleges.

"Over 15,000 emails have be sent to MSPs of every party calling on them to make college funding a priority in budget negotiations. We now need MSPs to work together to reverse this proposed £34.6 million cut.

"Colleges play a huge role in Scotland's economy, whether it's by offering young people opportunities to earn new skills, or by giving others the chance to return to education and re-skill. Scotland's colleges change communities and lives, and must be protected."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "We are maintaining college numbers, with a record number of students now in higher education, and have protected over 26,000 college students from tuition fees.

"We have also delivered on NUS Scotland's request to protect the student support budget. This is all despite the UK Government cutting Scotland's budget by over £3 billion in real terms."