The Public Audit Committee looks at reports published by the Auditor General for Scotland to examine whether public money is being spent efficiently and effectively.
On 19 September 2024 the Auditor General for Scotland published Scotland's colleges 2024.
The report says " The financial challenges facing colleges have increased since we reported on Scotland’s colleges in 2023. While only 14 of 20 college accounts were available at the time of preparing this report, 11 reported deficits in 2022/23, which is already more than the eight in 2021/22. Scottish Government funding for colleges reduced by £32.7 million in cash terms in 2024/25, and has reduced by 17 per cent in real terms since 2021/22. Colleges are also forecasting reducing cash balances, which may present a risk to their ability to continue in their current form".
Read the report on Audit Scotland's website
The Committee agreed at its meeting on 16 January 2025, to close scrutiny of the report and in doing so, write to the Education, Children and Young People's Committee on key issues raised during the evidence heard.
The report was discussed at the following Committee meetings:
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during scrutiny of the the report:
Correspondence from the Convener to Convener of the Education, Young People and Children Committee, 4 February 2025
Written submission to the Convener from UNISON FE Stewards, 10 January 2025 (This does not represent the position of UNISON Scotland)
Correspondence to the Convener from Martin Boyle, Interim Chief Executive, Scottish Funding Council, 23 December 2024
Correspondence to the Convener from Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, Scottish Government, 20 December 2024
Correspondence from the Convener to Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, Scottish Government, 3 December 2024
Correspondence to the Convener from Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland, 19 November 2024
Correspondence to the Convener from Gavin Donoghue, Director of College Employers Scotland, 18 November 2024
Written submission to the Convener from Janet Stewart, UNISON Scotland Regional Organiser, 15 November 2024
Written submission to the Convener from UNITE The Union, Scotland, 12 November 2024
Correspondence to the Convener from Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland, 21 October 2024
Correspondence from the Convener to John Mooney, Regional Organiser, UNISON, 14 October 2024
Correspondence from the Convener to Dr Graeme Jackson, Chief Executive, Colleges Scotland, 14 October 2024