Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Supporting Scotland’s Colleges

Liam Kerr S6M-13091 That the Parliament agrees that the Scottish Government’s approach to funding and resourcing Scotland’s colleges must change in response to the existential threat that its previous approach has created; notes the role that colleges play in powering the regional and national economy, while operating without the necessary flexibility and support that they need, and recognises that colleges are vital to Scotland’s economy and play a crucial role in supporting learners, creating flexible routes into employment, developing a skilled workforce and delivering sustainable economic growth. Graeme Dey S6M-13091.3 As an amendment to motion S6M-13091 in the name of Liam Kerr (Supporting Scotland’s Colleges), leave out from "agrees" to end and insert "recognises that colleges are vital to Scotland’s economy and play a crucial role in supporting learners, creating flexible routes into employment, developing a skilled workforce and delivering sustainable economic growth; understands that the process of post-school education reform provides opportunities to further enhance the role that Scotland’s colleges play in the economy and society, including enhancing their role in developing the green skills that Scotland needs for the just transition, and agrees that any proposals for changes to funding must be clear from where else in the Scottish Government’s budget the resource would be taken, particularly in the context of 14 years of UK Government austerity." Pam Duncan-Glancy S6M-13091.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-13091 in the name of Liam Kerr (Supporting Scotland’s Colleges), insert at end "; expresses its concern at the £12 million cut in student support funding proposed by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC); agrees with the assessment in Audit Scotland’s briefing, Scotland’s colleges 2023, that 'The Scottish Government and the SFC urgently need to build on their ongoing work with colleges and help them become sustainable now', and calls on the Minister for Higher and Further Education to get round the table with colleges and trade unions before the summer recess, with a view to facilitating a solution that will end the industrial dispute."