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Will it be 25 per cent? Will it be more than that or less?

If I can—

Let me conclude this bit. I think that you are saying that you do not broadly disagree with Derek Smeall’s assumption or the suggestion that there will be significant cuts over the next few years. I think that you do not know what they will be precisely, which is why you do not want to say. I will take your nod as a sign.

Can I come back to the issue of pace?

You were smiling halfway through your answer. I suspect that there is a bit of frustration on your part. If you can get on and make an awful lot of the decisions following the review, I cannot quite understand why Government cannot, especially when the college sector is under extraordinary pressures. Therefore, what do we do about that? Why can you not relay to the Government that colleges want to get on and plan?

In relative terms, that is tinkering. Do you have the comparisons with 2010-11?

We will continue to look at what you call fluctuations, although the big picture is a massive change in the past decade, during which colleges have been diminished significantly. I am not sure that we have voices making the case for further education to be a major part of the education system in Scotland.

You did not answer the question about a 25 per cent reduction at Derek Smeall’s college. Do you think that that is right?

We have heard that there are big cuts coming to the college sector over the next few years. However, two weeks ago, Hugh Hall from Fife College told us that colleges are not able, even in those circumstances, to determine their own future, because the Government cannot make up its mind. He set out his case at that meeting.

In June last year, the coherence and stability report was published, and the minister responded in October last year. However, colleges are going to have to wait until summer 2023 until they get a statement of intent from the Government. Why is it taking so long?

But does it need two years to do that?

Okay. Thank you.