OPPOSITION politicians have repeated calls for a delay in the introduction of Scottish Government legislation on the running of universities and colleges.
Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats said the SNP's Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill should be halted.
Contained in the bill are new powers allowing ministers to set priorities for universities in return for their funding, including widening participation to students from deprived areas.
Neil Findlay, Labour spokesman for skills, described the cill as a "dog's breakfast".
Liz Smith, education spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: "This is currently a bad bill which has left many witnesses confused about the lines of accountability."
And Liam McArthur, MSP for the Scottish LibDems, added: "There is widespread evidence that this bill gives ministers powers they don't need."
A spokesman for Education Secretary Michael Russell said: "The proof of our reforms is in the pudding – colleges are delivering the valuable skills training our young people need, universities are beginning to take steps to widen access and our actions to tackle youth unemployment are delivering results."
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