Cuts to social care courses in Scotland

The number of adults funded to start modern apprenticeships in social care and health is to be halved after Scottish executive cuts.

A change in funding priorities by government training agency Scottish Enterprise has led to a £3m reduction in the money available to domiciliary and residential care providers to fund staff aged over 25 to take modern apprenticeships.

Modern apprenticeships last around 18 months and cost up to £5,000. About 2,500 people currently taking social care and health qualifications will still be funded.

A Scottish Enterprise spokesperson said the executive wanted to put more funds into developing skills in other sectors, and said it had spent £17m on social care and health training in recent years.