Chamber and committees

Local authorities are obliged to offer advice and assistance to people who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness, and provide temporary accommodation if it is needed, including on an emergency basis. The Scottish Government supports local authorities to meet these statutory duties through annual funding delivered through the local government finance settlement but does not hold information on the amount of funding spent by local authorities on emergency temporary accommodation.

The Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) funding allocation to Scotland’s colleges for the current academic year (2025-26) equates to a 2.6% increase in funding for teaching activity, and a 4.8% increase for capital maintenance funding, to support colleges to continue to invest in student’s learning experiences.

The SFC provides regular advice to the Scottish Government on the pressures facing the college sector. This is based on the regular financial returns received from colleges.

As our national skills body, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) have operational responsibility for managing apprenticeship funding and delivery in Scotland. SDS regularly monitor demand throughout the year to maximise apprenticeship opportunities, in line with key policy priorities.

The number and range of apprenticeships available are informed by industry demand and training capacity, within the constraints of available budgets and affordability. This involves close consultation with employers, employer groups and training providers, as well as priorities identified through reformed national and regional skills planning.

We are providing around £185 million for apprenticeships this year and are committed to working with the Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland to understand the extent of demand, and in which sectors. Our aim is to ensure that funding is targeted most effectively to support sustainable economic growth and vital public services and provide best value for public investment.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) regularly monitors and engages with the colleges and universities it funds as part of its role in ensuring the sustainable and coherent provision of fundable further and higher education.

It is for SFC to consider the criteria used to approve liquidity support. Given that the circumstances of individual colleges will differ, each case will be considered on its own merit.

We recognise that managing agents undertake a range of valuable services to support apprentices and employers. This includes pre-assessment, support materials, pastoral care and the delivery of final assessments (where appropriate).

The role, responsibilities and funding arrangements for managing agents are being considered as part of our work on apprenticeship reform. We are committed to working with Colleges Scotland, managing agents and key agencies including SDS and the SFC, to ensure that apprenticeship funding is sustainable for the future and focused on supporting apprentices to train and progress.

It is important that we retain all of the very best elements of the current system while maintaining best value for public funding.

It is important to expand the sources of income into the college sector, which is why the Colleges Tripartite Alignment Group, comprised of Colleges Scotland, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council, has been exploring the perceived barriers to income diversification and how to overcome them.

The Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) funding model operates alongside with its Outcomes Framework and Assurance Model - Scottish Funding Council (OF&AM) to ensure that college courses align with the needs of employers and communities.

Through its OF&AM, SFC engages with colleges to ensure they are engaging with employers to respond to industry and sector needs.

Colleges in Scotland operate as autonomous institutions, with governance frameworks that grant them independence in managing their operations including decisions about campus footprint, staffing, and curriculum.

This autonomy is designed to enable responsiveness to local needs and flexibility in delivering education. However, Ministers are clear that colleges are expected to ensure their strategic decisions reflect the needs of the people, the region, and the communities they serve.

In its development of the 10 year College Infrastructure Investment Plan, in collaboration with the sector and due to publish in autumn 2026, the Scottish Funding Council is looking at the whole college sector to ensure the approach to infrastructure is strategic and supports coherent provision.

The Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) funding allocation to Scotland’s colleges for the current academic year (2025-26) equates to a 2.6% increase in funding for teaching activity, and a 4.8% increase for capital maintenance funding, to support colleges to continue to invest in student’s learning experiences.

In 2023-24, there was a reduction in very short courses which contributed to the reported decrease in overall college enrolments.

At this point in the budget cycle no decision has been made on the funding that will be made available for colleges in financial year 2026-27. The Scottish Government recognises the critical role that colleges play in delivering high-quality education, is aware of the pressures colleges are facing and remains fully committed to working constructively with the sector. The College Tripartite Alignment Group has membership from a range of colleges, the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government and provides strategic direction on the pressures and opportunities facing colleges. You can read more about the Group’s activities here Colleges: Tripartite Alignment Group - gov.scot.