Cash to increase college places

Demand for college places has been going up in Scotland

Scottish colleges are getting a total of £16.1m to help them cope with an unprecedented demand for places, amid the recession.

The deal will create more than 3,100 extra full-time places over two years, according to the Scottish Government.

Colleges will also get an extra £12m in funds to improve their buildings and facilities.

Many institutions have warned thousands of prospective students may have to be turned away because of high demand.

The new funding is part of cash which has come to Scotland as a result of spending decisions in the UK Budget.

Future success

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the move would help colleges cope with the increasing number of young people choosing to go on to further study and the growing proportion of older people undertaking courses to boost their job prospects.

"Scotland's colleges have a key role in helping people and businesses deal with the impact of the economic downturn and ensuring individuals have the skills and training they need to contribute to this country's future economic success when the recovery comes," she said.

Labour welcomed the move - but claimed the cash would do nothing to help colleges which were having to make cutbacks.

The Scottish Funding Council will decide which institutions will get a share of the new funding.