Students hit out over college cuts

STUDENTS have slammed ministers over planned college cuts after figures showed youth unemployment remains unacceptably high.

The National Union of Students in Scotland has launched a campaign – Fund Scotland’s Future – to defend college budgets in response to the Scottish Government’s draft budget, which has proposed a £34.6 million cut next year.

Through an online petition, NUS Scotland is asking students and the wider community to sign up to call on the government to reverse the proposed cut and protect college funding at current levels.

It also called on all MSPs to support local students and make college funding a priority during budget negotiations.

Robin Parker, NUS Scotland president, said: “Youth unemployment in Scotland remains a real problem.

“Despite a welcome fall in youth unemployment over the year, the amount of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work in Scotland at the moment is far too high. Young people need more opportunities, both in the workplace and in the classroom, to avoid becoming a lost generation.”