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".
The report was discussed at the following Committee meetings:
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the report:
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