Mike Russell accuses opposition of ‘anti-Scottish’ education policies

Mr Russell said the “Tory-Labour alliance” at Holyrood is responsible for “hypocrisy”, “scaremongering” and the “exploitation” of college students and principles.

The “unholy coalition” at Westminster is “trying to destroy Scottish education”, he said.

Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith led a debate in Holyrood today calling on Parliament to “condemn the Scottish Government for forcing on the (college) sector deeply damaging financial cuts”.

Ms Smith said: “The college sector is being asked to cope with cuts of 8.5% in teaching grants on top of the all the cuts they suffered last year.

“They are being asked to cope with funding cuts of £544 million to £470 million, progressive cuts of £38 million in year one, £50 million in year two and £74 million in year three. So by 2015 there is an annual cut of £74 million.”

She added: “The Scottish Government simply cannot get away from the fact that 1,000 staff were shed in the FE (further education) sector last year and that several colleges have warned the Cabinet Secretary that more are likely to go this year.”

Ms Smith also defended the Conservative policy of charging university tuition fees, against Mr Russell’s insistence that “the overwhelming opinion in Scotland is against paying for education”.

Ms Smith said: “If the Conservatives had their way, there would be extra money in the HE (higher education) sector.”

She accused Mr Russell of “punishing the colleges” because he does not have “enough money for the HE sector”.

Mr Russell said Ms Smith had been condemned “out of her own mouth” in her promotion of “anti-Scottish” tuition fees.

He said: “We are talking about raising fees in Scotland in order to pay for education. The people of Scotland rejected it absolutely in May and they would reject it again.

“It would be interesting to see if Labour has the courage to continue with their policy against paying for education or whether they are moving into that dreadful anti-Scottish, anti-educational block because the Scottish tradition is free education - and I stand proudly for it.”

Mr Russell said the Scottish Government has invested £4.7 billion in colleges alone since 2007, 40% more in cash terms than the previous administration.

He said: “The spending review has been tough for colleges, the result of the unholy coalition which is trying to destroy Scottish education amongst other things.

“Despite that spending review, we will continue to make a significant investment in the sector: over £500 million in 2012-13.

“By comparison, the UK Government is reducing their investment in English FE by £1.1 billion, from £4.3 billion to £3.2 billion. That’s a 25% reduction in cash terms.”

Mr Russell added: “There’s an overwhelming opinion in Scotland against hypocrisy and scaremongering in terms of colleges and certainly in terms of scaremongering, we have heard more of it this morning.

“I have regular meetings with the college principles. We are working together to make sure that we try to get the best out of the situation.

“There is exploitation taking place of them and students across this chamber today.

“We have heard it from one side, we will hear it from the other.”

Labour education spokesman Hugh Henry argued that with growing numbers of young people out of work, the need to invest in colleges had never been greater. He highlighted the “outstanding record” of Scotland’s colleges, saying 350,000 people a year attended them. Mr Henry added that 55% of colleges students are women, while 30% are from the most deprived areas. He also said 70% of those who study at college go on to find work, adding: “Now with an unemployment crisis in this country, now more than ever, we need Scotland’s colleges. We need their expertise and we need their delivery and their success. Now more than ever is the time to invest in Scotland’s colleges.” Mr Henry, a former education minister, went on: “It’s the colleges that will make the difference. If we fail the colleges, if we do not give them the resources, they will not be able to respond to the crisis which is confronting us.” He also hit out at the “arrogance” and “intolerance” of the SNP Government in the wake of Mr Russell’s comments. Mr Henry said: “There is a view amongst those people who are now in Government that no one else has the right to speak for anyone in Scotland except them. And this creeping intolerance will lead at some point for them to say that freedom of speech for the opposition should no longer exist, and everything should be articulated only through them.”

Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur also urged the Government to provide a “fairer deal” for colleges. He said concerns had been raised by the sector about the impact that “cuts will have on the quality, accessibility and affordability of college provision across Scotland”.While he said the SNP blamed Westminster for cutting the overall Scottish budget, Mr McArthur said: “This stuck record ignores the fact that Scottish ministers have an additional £850 million at their disposal since the 20% real-terms cut to college budgets was first announced.”The Lib Dem MSP went on: “While Mr Russell emphasises a commitment to maintain college places, colleges themselves are questioning how on earth quality can be maintained under these circumstances.” He argued that colleges “improve the life chances of thousands of people, of all ages, in all parts of the country”. Mr McArthur said: “They provide students with the skills they need to get up and get on, and deserve a fairer deal from this budget.”

SNP backbenchers argued that the financial situation means tough choices have to be made by the Government.

Marco Biagi said opposition MSPs had urged Finance Secretary John Swinney to find extra cash for a range of areas, including colleges, local councils, housing, fuel poverty, the health service, police and roads.

The Edinburgh Central MSP said: “If members are going to sit there and wring their hands that is their right. In this chamber members do have a right to be heard. But unless they present solutions they simply will not be taken seriously.”

Mr Biagi continued: “We all recognise the importance of colleges, the challenges the face and the difference they can make. But when organisations come to us it isn’t our role to pass a tissue and feel their pain. It is our role as MSPs to govern, to make difficult choices and find solutions.”

Fellow Nationalist Stuart McMillan said: “Not one person in this chamber this morning would wish to reduce the budgets for our further education establishments. But there are tough decisions that this Government needs to make as a result of the budget coming to this Parliament being slashed by the UK coalition of the Conservatives and the Lib Dems.”