Local MSP Jackie Baillie believes the SNP have serious questions to answer over university places after official figures show that, in a year of record demand for university places, the SNP have cut over 1000 places.

The figures, revealed in a reply to a Parliamentary Question from Shadow Further and Higher Education Minister, Claire Baker, stated that the SNP have funded 129,733 undergraduate and post-graduate places- 1066 less than last year.

The figure is the lowest in three years. 

A places crisis has developed this year with reports stating that a number of Scottish Universities were unable to offer students any places through "clearing".

Jackie said:

"These Scottish Government figures are very concerning and raise some serious questions for the SNP to answer.

"From these figures it appears that, despite record demand for places, the SNP decided to cut the number of places on offer to its lowest in three years.

"The Education Minister, Mike Russell, must therefore explain to young people in this area and across the country who are coming to terms with the fact that their hopes of a university place have been dashed, why he decided to cut their places.   

"So many gifted young people have been left without a university place this year and the SNP need to address this issue immediately."