February 3rd, 2011

COLLEGE CUTS FURY 

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has challenged the Scottish Government over the £5.7 million funding cut that has put jobs and student provision at risk at the James Watt College.

The MSP met with JWC principal Sue Pinder at the Scottish Parliament this week to hear her proposals to deal with the funding shortfall.

And he took his concerns to Angela Constance, Minister for Lifelong Learning, in the chamber this week, asking her to take into account the cuts will have on employment and skills in the area.

The MSP said: “With such a high demand for further education places at the moment, this is exactly the wrong time to be cutting the budgets of colleges like James Watt.

“I have real concerns, both short-term and long-term, that the draconian cuts being imposed on further education by the Scottish Government will diminish the provision for students in our area.

“In tough economic times, we need to invest in our colleges and equip young people with the skills required for a tough labour market.

“If we fail to do this, the consequences may be higher youth unemployment and skills gap for the industries we need to sustain our communities.”