Keith Brown: We need to save Alloa campus from closure

The college has confirmed that closure is being considered due to financial pressures, with a decision expected later this month.

This is deeply concerning for Clackmannanshire.

Access to further education is not a luxury – it is essential.

Young people, working adults, and families rely on the opportunities the Alloa campus provides.

It plays a vital role in supporting local jobs, skills development, and the wider economy.

Many students travel from across the region to study here, while staff deliver the teaching, training, and support that help people progress in their careers and personal development.

I am absolutely determined that Clackmannanshire will retain its college campus.

The Alloa campus is central to our community, offering opportunities for learners of all ages, while supporting apprenticeships, businesses, and local jobs.

Reducing provision here would be a major setback.

I will continue to press the college, Ministers, and all partners to find a sustainable solution that safeguards the future of further education in our area.

When the merger that created Forth Valley College was first proposed, I opposed it.

My concern then was that Alloa could lose its college provision – and sadly, that is exactly the situation we now face.

At the time, there was a clear commitment to maintain a strong presence in Alloa.

That commitment must now be honoured.

Clackmannanshire faces well-known challenges – high levels of deprivation, poor employment statistics, and limited transport links.

Yet we are also making real progress with attainment and opportunities for local people.

To reduce provision at the Alloa campus now would undermine that progress and restrict the ability of both young people and adults to gain the skills they need to succeed.

Closing Alloa may look like the easy solution on a balance sheet, but the college Board has a duty to see the bigger picture and to make decisions that strengthen communities, not weaken them.

The campus is a vital resource for students, families, and employers alike. We must not lose sight of the long-term consequences for our area.

That is why I have lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament recognising the importance of the Alloa campus and calling for a sustainable solution.

I have also asked the Presiding Officer for the opportunity to raise the issue directly in Parliament.

Alongside this, I have spoken with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, and the Principal of Forth Valley College.

Later this week, I will meet the Chair of the college board, and also join the Council Leader in a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary to press the case.

I know this uncertainty is causing real anxiety for staff, students, and families.

That is why I am disappointed to see some trying to turn it into a party-political row.

Yes, wider funding pressures – including Labour’s National Insurance rise, which is expected to cost Scotland’s colleges around £12 million in 2025/26 – add to the challenge.

But now is not the time for point-scoring. What matters is securing the best outcome for Clackmannanshire.

Together, we must work for a sustainable solution that keeps a college campus in Alloa.

Locally and across Scotland, households are benefitting from wider support with the cost of living.

Local commuters, for example, are saving over £1,700 a year thanks to the SNP scrapping peak rail fares from September.

For those travelling to Glasgow, the daily saving of £7.40 adds up to more than £1,700 across a full working year.

Making train fares cheaper is not only a boost to household budgets, but also encourages more people to leave the car at home – cutting emissions and supporting the environment.

This change has only been possible because ScotRail was brought back into public ownership in 2022, showing that when powers are devolved, they can be used to make life better for Scots.