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With respect, Ms Duncan-Glancy, one of the joys of being an Opposition member in the Parliament is that you and other Opposition members can call for funding for all sorts without actually having to determine where it comes from. You talk about funding choices, but I have not heard Opposition members criticising a number of the funding commitments that this Government has made.

No, but I would contend, with respect, that it is for Opposition members to show a sense of responsibility around what they call for.

There will be a pilot to inform the development of the replacement.

As I said in response to your contribution to the debate in the chamber the other week, I do not want to be unhelpful—I hope that I come across as wanting to be helpful to the committee—but it is a bit difficult to talk about discussions that have not taken place yet. It would be a bit disrespectful to the colleges if I was to talk about some of our thinking.

When I was a member of the committee and the cabinet secretary was in front of it, she outlined the flexibilities that had been provided and have been welcomed by the colleges. However, I recognise that we need to go further in order to support them. The approach that has been taken is that the colleges have been working up a number of thoughts, as have we. We will come together next week, not to have a discussion and then wander off before coming back to the matter after recess, but with a view to looking at what is achievable now and in the slightly longer term. There is no doubt in my mind that we can do more to assist the colleges into a position of stability.

You talked about capital spend. I am keen to explore with the colleges how they might be encouraged or assisted to address some of the issues with the fabric of their buildings, and in doing that, address the net zero challenge. The issue is not just about resource but about what more we can do, because some colleges face significant challenges in relation to the age and condition of their buildings. There have been restrictions, or they felt that there were restrictions, on what they can do in that regard, and I hope that we can find a way to lessen that and encourage some movement in that area.

I agree.

I am acutely aware of the evidence that the committee took. I was quite taken by the line of questioning on that, which I think was from Pam Duncan-Glancy. We are not looking to have a project that excludes people. We are trying to capture everyone who ought to be captured.

I will pass that question to Susan, as she has been leading on that.

Yes, but I think that much of the groundwork had already been done on determining what stakeholders were looking for and what they felt was required.

To be absolutely clear, perhaps one of the most significant reasons for work not progressing at the pace that all of us would have wanted it to is budget, which has been an issue. All committee members will be aware of the significant budgetary challenges that the Government faces in the education portfolio. Those have been a factor in the pace at which work has progressed.

At this stage, it is difficult to share figures because of the forms that the scheme could take. However, I undertake to provide as much information as I can to the committee as we move forward and to return to it on the subject if it so wishes.

I am not clear on that at the moment.