Swinney’s Budget is Good News for Carnegie College

Bill Walker, MSP for Dunfermline, has welcomed Finance Secretary John Swinney’s funding announcements for the Further Education sector as good news for Carnegie College.

In his budget statement, Mr Swinney pledged an additional £11.4 million for Scottish colleges to fund student support. A further £8 million will go to the college funding council to help colleges deliver the Scottish Government’s Opportunities for All commitments.

This new funding comes on top of £20 million already allocated to the college sector in the past month.

Mr Walker said: “Carnegie College, along with other colleges throughout Fife and Scotland, are continuing to receive the Scottish Government’s support. This announcement restates the SNP’s commitment to Scotland’s young people and to the role colleges serve in preparing them for the competitive job market.

“These are extremely difficult times economically, and cuts by the Westminster Government severely hamper the budget choices available to the Scottish Government. Other sectors, as well as colleges, have had to take a share of cuts.

“But by continuing to support our students, we enable young people to gain the skills they need so they can contribute to Scotland’s economy. The SNP Government, by 2014/15, will have invested £4.7bn in Scotland’s further education sector—that’s 40% more than under two terms of the previous administration. Labour and the Liberal Democrats have no credibility on this issue.

“The SNP have also pledged to maintain the Educational Maintenance Allowance, controversially scrapped down south by the UK Government. We are also supporting school leavers not engaged in education or employment by allocating funding of £8 million to guarantee every 16-19 year old a suitable place in learning or training.

“The Scottish Government is committed to improving our young people’s life chances. The Government has listened to students’ concerns and responded with significant funding to protect young people from financial hardship that might otherwise force them from their studies.”