MINISTERS are planning a more direct role in a long-running dispute over pay and conditions in Scottish colleges.

John Swinney, the Education Secretary, is to make an announcement to the Scottish Parliament over the issue.

The Scottish Government still wants management and unions to reach a solution themselves, but is increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress.

Mr Swinney met both sides over the weekend to discuss a resolution, but is also planning a more hands-on role for government at the negotiations.

There have already been four days of strike action so far and two more days are planned for this week with a further three the following week. The issue is of increasing concern to students taking exams.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Minister for Further Education, said: "We want to see an end to this dispute because of the concern students will inevitably feel about the impact the strike is having on their education.

“Having put arrangements in place to allow national bargaining, this dispute ultimately remains a matter for the union and college employers to resolve, however we are actively seeking a way forward that allows both sides to work constructively for a solution so that the sector can focus on delivering the high-quality education that its students expect.

“We want to see this situation resolved swiftly and we are pleased that talks will resume again. Strike action in our colleges is in no one’s interest. It is certainly not in the interests of college students.”

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS union, which represents lecturers, said: "We welcome the recent increasing involvement of senior representatives of the Scottish Government.

"We will continue to engage constructively with the Scottish Government, in the hope of compelling colleges to honour the deal that they signed."

A spokesperson for the Colleges Scotland Employers’ Association, said: "Our offer would give lecturers an average nine per cent pay increase and a salary of up to £40,000.

"In addition, our proposal comprises 24 hours teaching time per week, which is already the sector norm, and 56 days holiday per year with no detriment on existing staff holidays or salary conservation. We believe this is a good offer. Talks are ongoing and we remain hopeful that a resolution can be found.”

The row centres on a commitment by the Scottish Government to introduce pay harmonisation across the country which unions say should already be in place.

The pay increases were agreed a year ago, but college management argue a separate deal needs to be struck on holidays and working hours before the roll-out of new salary structures.