Reprieve for Forth Valley College's Alloa campus

Forth Valley College's Alloa campus will remain open for another year, but its long-term future remains uncertain.

The college announced the reprieve following a 10% uplift in college funding in the Scottish Budget, which was approved this week.

The college's management previously said maintaining its three campuses in Falkirk, Stirling and Alloa may no longer be sustainable and Alloa might have to close.

Forth Valley College principal Kenny MacInnes said he was "delighted" to announce the news but said it was important to recognise the "long-term challenges."

He said: "If the sector receives flat-cash settlements for 2027/28 while meeting above-inflation national pay awards, the college's longer-term financial sustainability will remain under significant pressure.

"The sector is approaching a critical point where a more sustainable, long-term funding model is required."

MacInnes said the board had made the decision to keep the campus open for the next year after "careful consideration and acting in good faith" in the best interests of "staff, students and partners".

The Alloa campus currently has about 460 students and 11 staff members.

Courses run at the campus currently include beauty therapy and health and social care.

A report published last September by the Scottish Funding Council said most further education colleges in Scotland Most face unsustainable losses over the next three years.