Dundee East MSP Shona Robison today cautiously welcomed new statistics which show that the number of lone parents receiving grants to take up higher education 2008-2009 in Dundee East is the highest in Scotland with Dundee West also in the top five.

The grants are made available from the HE Childcare Fund, the Lone Parents Grant and Lone Parent Childcare Grant to assist widowed, divorced, separated or single students bringing up children with the costs of childcare.

Shona said: “I’m pleased that lone parents in Dundee are increasingly taking up the opportunity of these grants to assist them with childcare costs so that they can continue in Higher Education. I note that Dundee East is the highest in Scotland with Dundee West also in the top five.

“The grants are made available from the HE Childcare Fund, the Lone Parents Grant and Lone Parent Childcare Grant to assist widowed, divorced, separated or single students bringing up children with the costs of childcare.

“I’m also pleased to note that the overall number of FE students in Scotland receiving support from the FE Childcare Fund has increased from 3,255 in 2006-2007 to 3,535 2007-2008.

“The Scottish Government is keen to support access to education from all age groups and sectors of the population.”