FMQs: Salmond accused of higher education cuts

ALEX Salmond was accused of presiding over cuts to colleges and of “de-skilling” Scotland at First Minister’s questions today.

By SCOTT MACNAB

Published 3rd Oct 2013, 16:39 BST

First Minister Alex Salmond. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Labour leader Johann Lamont said that the numbers of students at colleges had been cutback since the SNP can to power in 2007.

Ms Lamont said the SNP was trying to hide the cuts as she claimed the First Minister was “cooking the books” over the level of students in colleges.

She said the amount of college time for teaching students had been cut, with teaching times and places for women reduced during the SNP’s time in power.

However, Mr Salmond insisted there was now a “record number of students” in higher education, which he said was carried out in colleges as well as universities.

The First Minister said the SNP had delivered “substantial improvements” in education as he attacked Labour’s record on colleges.