FIGURES showing thousands of prospective students on waiting lists for college places are false and misleading, according to the Education Secretary.

Last month, figures from individual Glasgow colleges showed there were more than 30,000 eligible students who were rejected due to lack of places.

Glasgow Labour MSP Drew Smith said the reports showed 17,000 were turned away from North Glasgow College alone, and asked Michael Russell, Education Secretary, if he admitted funding cuts were to blame.

The figures showed six Glasgow further education colleges had turned away people who met the entrance criteria but couldn't be accommodated as courses were full.

Speaking at Holyrood, Mr Russell said the figures were not accurate and insisted many of those on initial waiting lists were no longer interested in the place, and many would appear on waiting lists for more than one college.

He said: "These figures need to be treated with extreme caution."

He added: "They are not comparable between colleges and cannot be aggregated", and said in one case less than 5% of applicants were still interested in the course they were on the waiting list for.

He said opposition MSPs were eager to score political points on the issue but warned, "these figures are not reliable".

Mr Russell was challenged on access to university and colleges for people from poorer backgrounds.

He said participation was a complex area that starts in the early years.

Patricia Ferguson, Labour MSP for Maryhill and Springburn, asked how the Government planned to ensure young people from deprived areas will benefit from a £100 a year cut in funding support.

Mr Russell said: "We have the best funding package in these islands and it is supported by the National Union of Students. I am sure Ms Ferguson will want to welcome the hard work done in this area.

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk