Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Skills, Development and Training: Forth Valley

Wednesday 26 November 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Kane questioned the Secretary of State about the financial crisis at Forth Valley College due to alleged SNP underfunding, impacting local industries.
  • The Secretary of State responded by highlighting a historic spending review for Scotland, delivering the largest real-terms settlement for the Scottish Government in 25 years.
  • Susan Murray raised concerns about the failure of the Scottish education system and the private sector's role in upskilling workers, citing an example from her constituency.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Kane Lab Stirling and Strathallan
Education Economy Scotland
Context

Forth Valley College is facing financial crisis and potential closure of its Alloa campus. This comes at a time when Stirling's film studio, Grangemouth transition, and shipbuilding and defence in the Forth and Clyde require skilled workers.

Question

Years of SNP underfunding have pushed Forth Valley college into financial crisis. Just when we needed to deliver skills for Stirling’s film studio, the Grangemouth transition, and shipbuilding and defence in the Forth and Clyde, the Alloa campus faces closure. Does the Secretary of State agree that the SNP is undermining Scotland’s future by neglecting the institutions that could drive growth? Does he also agree that Scotland needs a Labour Government, with Anas Sarwar, to rebuild our colleges and our skills base?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)

The facts are clear. The spending review was historic for Scotland and delivered the largest real-terms settlement for the Scottish Government in the 25 years of devolution, with an average of £50.9 billion per year between 2026-27 and 2028-29. It simply makes no sense to cut the further education college budget in Scotland by 20%, and it is definitely time for a new direction.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not explicitly address whether he agrees that the SNP is undermining Scotland's future or whether a Labour government would be better suited to rebuild colleges and skills base.

How: It Simply Makes No Sense To Cut The Further Education College Budget In Scotland By 20%, And It Is Definitely Time For A New Direction.

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Q2 Susan Murray Lib Dem Mid Dunbartonshire
Education Scotland
Context

The Scottish education system, particularly the further education sector, is failing to meet the needs of young people and businesses in Scotland. In Susan Murray's constituency, the energy technical academy is investing in private upskilling initiatives.

Question

After 18 years of an SNP Government in Scotland, the education system is failing and qualified Scottish pupils are being turned away from Scottish universities. Meanwhile, the private sector in the west of Scotland, such as at the energy technical academy in my constituency, is upskilling workers, who are paying so that they can install electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps. Will the Secretary of State explain to the Scottish Government that educating young people and further education training are good for Scotland?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Douglas Alexander)

I sincerely hope the Scottish Government are listening to the very powerful points made by the hon. Lady. Some 89,600 young people in Scotland are not in work, education or training. That is equivalent to about 16.1% or one in six of our young people in Scotland. Scotland deserves better than a Scottish Government who are failing one in six of their young people.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly explain to the Scottish government that investing in education and further education is crucial for Scotland's future development.

How: I Sincerely Hope The Scottish Government Are Listening To The Very Powerful Points Made By The Hon. Lady.

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