A KILWINNING councillor has attacked the SNP for “mishandling colleges” following the publication of a new report.

Labour Councillor Joe Cullinane has called Audit Scotland’s report of Scotland’s colleges a damning indictment on the SNP’s handling of the sector.

The report shows that: - Between 2010/11 and 2011/12 college funding was cut by £56m by the SNP – a 9 per cent reduction in their income in one year - 1200 full time equivalent college staff were paid off in one year as a result of the cut with severance payments totalling £21million - Since 2008/09 there has been a 40 per cent reduction in the number of part time college students - 48,000 fewer people went to college in 2011/12 than in 2010/11 – a 16 per cent reduction - The number of people attending college in Scotland has fallen by a third since 2008/09 – approximately 130,000 fewer people studying at college - Colleges face a further 11 per cent reduction in public funding by 2014/15 – more job losses are expected Responding to the report Councillor Cullinane said: “Audit Scotland’s report tells the true story of the SNPs attack on our colleges.

“Last year the Education Secretary, Mike Russell, said there had been no reduction in college places but Audit Scotland now confirms that there were 48,000 fewer people in college - a 16 per cent reduction in one year.

“In the last five years the reduction in college places has actually been 33%, a drop of 130,000 college places. Part time places have dropped 40 per cent.

“Having campaigned against college cuts and spoken to students and staff I know that morale is low in the sector. I have warned that merging colleges will have a negative impact and will be used to hide further cuts. The Audit Scotland report shows that colleges face a further 11 per cent reduction in public funding by 2014/15. 1200 full time jobs were lost between 2010/11 and 2011/12 and the prospects are that many more will lose their jobs after the mergers.

“This damning report is not the fault of colleges and their boards – it’s a reflection of the SNP’s mishandling of our colleges.

“When the economy is performing poorly and jobs are not readily available the focus should be on encouraging more people to go to college, doing so not only helps the individuals jobs prospects but would also help the economy grow. Instead the SNP are making sweeping cuts and slashing the opportunities available. This is the wrong approach for the people of North Ayrshire and our local college and the SNP should change course.” Responding to this latest attack from Labour, a spokesperson for NAC’s SNP Group said: “This unrelenting negativity from the Labour group is as unhelpful as it is disrespectful to the hard working staff and students. As usual, Labour offer not a single positive or constructive suggestion.

“The bottom line is our colleges are sustaining the level of education they are delivering and continuing to meet their targets.

“Scottish Government policy is to concentrate on full-time college courses as the proven best way to get young people into work, hence the overall fall in Full Time Equivalent.

“The colleges situation must be seen in the context of the Scottish Government’s overall youth employment strategy, including e.g. Modern Apprenticeships.

“The youth employment strategy is delivering - it works. In the face the deepest of recessions and Austerity UK economic policy started by Labour, only eight out of the 28 EU countries have a lower youth unemployment rate than Scotland.

“Prioritising younger learners and full-time courses through Opportunities for All, we make no apology for focusing colleges where they’re needed most – helping young people to get a job.”