Alison McInnes highlights SNP failing college students in Tayside
Scottish Liberal Democrat Alison McInnes MSP today said that SNP ministers are failing the college students who need their help the most after new figures revealed that Dundee & Angus College only received a fraction of the bursary funds requested.
The college requested £800,000 for student support. It was confirmed today that the college would only receive £160,000.
Across Scotland, colleges asked for £14.7m to meet demand from students but will receive only £3.5m. Five colleges which requested funding will receive no support at all.
The North East MSP commented: "The SNP's raid on college budgets is having a direct impact on young people's pockets. They are failing the students who need their help the most. Students need this bursary funding to help them manage the cost of living whilst studying.
"Dundee & Angus College requested for funding to help students struggling with the costs of studying but only received a fraction of that. What will happen to these students if they cannot get the support they need for basic living costs?
"We know that the college offers students in Tayside the opportunity to gain new skills and get on in life. These cuts will strike a damaging blow to the people who need help the most and blows a further hole in the SNP's claims to be committed to widening access.
"Scottish Liberal Democrats know that we can only build a fairer society through creating opportunities for all. This is the real test for new education secretary Angela Constance to prove if she will adopt a different, more constructive approach than her predecessor and finally deliver for college students."
- The figures can be found at