SNP ‘robbing young people of opportunities’ with underfunded colleges – Labour

Scottish Labour has criticised the SNP of “robbing young people of opportunities” as college staffing levels fall to their lowest point since the start of devolution.

Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy has accused the SNP of treating colleges with “disdain” after Scottish Government statistics show in the second quarter of 2025, employment in Scotland’s colleges plummeted to just 11,800.

This is the lowest amount of staff since records began in 1999.

Ms Duncan-Glancy said: “The SNP is hollowing out Scotland’s colleges and robbing young people of opportunities.

“Colleges play a crucial role in our education system, our communities and our economy – but the SNP has treated this crucial sector with disdain.

“A Scottish Labour government will put an end to SNP neglect and help colleges thrive.”

Since 2007, the number of staff working in the colleges sector has dropped by 29%.

An Audit Scotland report released in October revealed there had been a 20% real-terms cut in funding for the sector.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) released a study in September which had access to college accounts and forecasts.

It found that 22 out of 24 colleges were expected to spend more than their income this year.

Higher and further education minister Ben Macpherson said: “The Scottish Government is committed to our college sector and just this week confirmed we will support the college support staff pay deal that was reached between trade unions and sector, by providing an extra £1.69 million this financial year, followed by an additional £3.3 million next financial year.

“However, we are of course aware that our college sector faces a number of challenges that are being exacerbated by external factors like inflation, which also affects the resources that the Scottish Government has to spend.

“We deeply value the contribution of all our colleges to communities across the country, and the Scottish economy, and we are determined to work closely and collaboratively with the sector to ensure it is successful and sustainable.

“I will of course discuss any serious or costed proposals from across the Parliament about how to help our colleges.”