John Lamont MP has said he supports more funding for student places at the Borders College after concerns were raised that the latest Scottish Government budget will have a "significant negative impact" on opportunities for young people and businesses.
On Friday, the Borders College Principal and CEO, Pete Smith, said the current Scottish Government budget "will have a significant negative impact on learners, businesses and the government’s own ambitions to grow the Scottish economy and achieve a just transition."
Mr Smith also said the withdrawal of the Flexible Workforce Development Fund "will be a blow to businesses."
He added that Borders College does not yet have details on financial or student allocations, but they are working on the assumption that they will be forced to reduce student places and the number of courses on offer.
Scottish Borders MP, John Lamont, said: "Borders College provides incredible opportunities for young people to learn new skills and develop their careers, so I am disappointed that the SNP Government budget may force them to reduce courses and student places.
"As the Borders College Principal makes clear, such a reduction could have a deeply damaging impact on local businesses and harm our economy.
"This stark warning from the Borders College Principal must be heard by SNP ministers. They need to deliver more support so student places are protected."