Student parents must not be discriminated against - McInnes

12.00.00am GMT Wed 28th Jan 2009

Alison McInnes has criticised the discretionary funding of childcare in Scotland for parents returning to education. Many parents would like to access the free higher education available throughout Scotland, but need the assurance that childcare will be subsidised.

Mrs McInnes said today:

"I have been contacted by student parents from all areas of the North East who are all telling me the same sad story.

"Many have started courses only to find they are not granted any childcare costs which, naturally, limits the time they can spend in college or university.

"The fact is that although we have free education for all, parents are discriminated against as spiralling costs related to child care are outwith their budget, leading many to drop-out of a higher level course.

Scottish Liberal Democrats recognise that student finance and debt are often a significant barrier to education for people with childcare responsibilities and we are determined that it should be made much simpler for student parents to complete courses.

Ends.