Clive Sneddon, Scottish Lib Dem candidate for South Angus, has criticised the SNP for their massive cuts on college funding.

Clive Sneddon was being shown round Arbroath on Monday of this week by Kevin Barthorpe chair of an Arbroath Residents association, including the Angus College which has made a robust defence of its contribution to the local and Scottish economy.

The huge cuts imposed by the SNP through the Scottish Funding Council will cause major problems for the Colleges.

Clive Sneddon commented:

"Angus College and Dundee colleges have to implement cuts of 10.4% in the year ahead in their teaching grant which in real terms is over 14%. This is a short sighted policy by the SNP as our local colleges have a justifiably excellent reputation and are now having to look at cutting courses; subjects, staff and supplies are going to be directly cut."

The Lib Dem candidate and former lecturer added:

"Our local colleges play a huge role in providing our Arbroath, Friockheim, Letham, Monifieth and Carnoustie students with the skills they need to get jobs and these SNP cuts will have a devastating affect on their future. Furthermore, these cuts will impact on the young people who are looking for jobs in our local economy in areas such as food and drink, caring and hospitality, and the newer industries such as renewables, so the SNP cuts are devastating for our local economy. They are the opposite of the support for growth and jobs provided in the UK budget."

Notes:

1. Additional funding was secured in the recently approved 2011-12 Scottish budget by the Scottish Liberal Democrats, amounting to £15 million for Further Education bursaries, and £8 million for an additional 1,200 college places with associated student support.

2. Until he retired in September 2010, Clive Sneddon was a Lecturer in French at the University of St Andrews.