SNP branded 'snooty and elitist' over 20% colleges funding cut as John Swinney makes private school remark

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accused ministers of overseeing a cash crisis and putting jobs and institutions at risk.

In response, First Minister John Swinney took aim at Mr Sarwar’s private schooling at Hutchesons Grammar School in Glasgow.

“I don’t think this state school boy getting lectured to about elitism is a great look for Mr Sarwar,” the First Minister said. “I’m very proud of my state school education as well, very proud of it.”

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The funding cut for Scotland’s colleges was laid bare in a new report from spending watchdog Audit Scotland.

The report said Scottish Government funding for colleges amounted to £656.2 million in 2025-26, adding: “This means that between 2021-22 and 2025-26, funding for colleges has decreased by almost £20m (3 per cent) in cash terms and by 20 per cent in real terms.”

Colleges have not received increases to cover rising inflation in recent years, the report said, meaning savings had to be found elsewhere.

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Mr Sarwar said the “scathing” report had exposed the SNP’s failure to support colleges and young people. He said livelihoods were being “derailed by SNP incompetence”.

He said: “Colleges cut, courses scrapped, futures denied. Why does this snooty, elitist SNP Government refuse to recognise the value of Scotland’s colleges?”

Mr Swinney said it was not a “great look” for a “state school boy” such as himself to be lectured on elitism. The First Minister – growing visibly angry – said Scotland was the only part of the UK where child poverty was reducing, despite the government having missed its interim targets on the issue.

He added: “[A total of] 93 per cent of pupils are going to positive destinations after school and when it comes to big, lofty commitments, I stood beside Mr Sarwar, who told me there would be hundreds of millions of pounds to save Grangemouth and Grangemouth got absolutely nothing and is closed. Mr Sarwar should go home and think again.”

The UK government offered £200 million for the refinery before it closed, with the Scottish Government also paying in £25 million, to secure future work on the site.

Findlay weighs in on colleges

The issue of college funding was also raised by Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay, who said: “SNP cuts mean fewer people going to college, learning new skills and advancing their careers.

“Reducing funding to colleges directly harms economic growth, which is something the SNP don’t seem to understand. So, will John Swinney commit to reversing this cut for the good of young Scots and for the good of Scotland’s economy?”

Mr Swinney highlighted the cash terms increases to funding in the previous budget, adding: “This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that we invest in our college sector, to support students to move on to the positive destinations.”

He also said Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth was actively working to halt the potential closure of the Forth Valley College campus in Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Mr Sarwar said one student had described the move as “devastating”, but Mr Swinney said the situation had been “uppermost in my mind” following engagement with local MSP Keith Brown.