Warnings over colleges’ finances

The financial position at Scotland’s colleges is “unsustainable”, an industry body has warned.

Colleges Scotland has blamed the Scottish Government for the financial challenges faced by the sector.

An annual review of colleges by public services watchdog Audit Scotland found financial health in the sector remains “relatively stable” but has deteriorated since 2014-15.

The auditor general for Scotland, Caroline Gardner, said potential difficulties from falling student numbers coupled with financial challenges mean there is a “growing risk” to colleges’ ability to deliver on key Scottish Government aims for sector.

In a written submission to a Holyrood committee ahead of an evidence session tomorrow, Colleges Scotland chief executive Shona Struthers said: “What is seen here is the culmination of the effect of policy and investment decisions taken over a number of years by the Scottish Government.

“The overall financial position that the sector faces is unsustainable.”

The Scottish Government’s director general of education, communities and justice Paul Johnston’s written submission to the committee states: “Scotland’s colleges 2017 highlights that the sector is financially stable overall, that colleges continue to exceed their targets for student learning opportunities and that student attainment improved in 2015-16.”