South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has used a question session in the Scottish Parliament to demand a fair pay deal for college staff.

Last week Scotland’s college staff and lecturers voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a long-running pay dispute, raising the prospect of further strike action.

Colin Smyth asked Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey what action the Scottish Government is taking to attract and retain staff in colleges.

Speaking in the chamber, he said: “It is rare for a week to pass without a minister saying in the chamber that we do not have industrial action in the national health service in Scotland at the moment because of the action and intervention of ministers.

“What does it say about the failure of the Government to intervene in our colleges when we note that this week, college staff in the Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturers Association have once again voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action?

“What will the minister do in the coming days to avert that action and to ensure that our college staff get a fair pay deal, given that Audit Scotland recently warned that we face a recruitment and retention crisis in our colleges and that more cuts and a lack of fair pay will simply make that worse?”

Speaking after the session, Colin Smyth added: “The current cost of living crisis, following on the back of the terrible years of pandemic, have left many people struggling to make ends meet.

“No-one wants to go on strike but unless the Government fund our colleges in a way to allow for a meaningful pay deal, staff have no choice but to take action.

“College support staff and lecturers have been waiting a long time for a resolution to this dispute over pay and conditions – it’s just not acceptable.

“I have stood on many picket lines in solidarity with workers these past few years and I will continue to fully support those who feel they must go on strike.

“I would urge the Scottish Government to properly fund a deal and start paying staff a decent wage as that is the only action which will prevent more disruption.”