11. To ask the Scottish Government which Scottish colleges carry a private finance initiative burden and what it is doing to alleviate that. (S5O-02217)

The Kilwinning campus of Ayrshire college is the only Scottish college with a PFI arrangement in place. The PFI contract obligations of around £2.2 million per year for the campus at Kilwinning will continue until 2025.

The previous Labour-Liberal Democrat Administration saddled the then James Watt college with a £50 million PFI burden following a £7 million investment in Kilwinning, which Ayrshire college subsequently inherited following regionalisation. Does the Minister agree that it is unfair that, uniquely among Scottish colleges, Ayrshire college must make annual PFI payments of £2.18 million and that such a burden makes it increasingly difficult for the college to continue delivering outstanding outcomes for students, many of whom are from challenging backgrounds?

I commend Ayrshire college for the outstanding outcomes that it has achieved for its students. I had the pleasure of attending an event on Monday evening in Ayrshire college to encourage women to go into science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers. I thank Ayrshire college for the hospitality that night.

The Deputy First Minister has written to the college to confirm the proceeds from the college disposing of its former Kilmarnock campus, with expected net proceeds of around £1.2 million to be retained by the college to be used towards the PFI costs on a one-year basis only. The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council will continue to work closely with the college to ensure that it takes appropriate steps to ensure that it has a financially stable position going forward.