BRITAIN’S exit from the European Union is a “huge concern” for Borders College, according to Principal Liz McIntyre.

The college head met with local MSP Christine Grahame last week and outlined a range of issues facing the establishment. 

Ms Grahame, who represents Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, heard that last year the college received around £260,000 of funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) – which it may now have to go without due to the UK’s impending withdrawal from the EU.

Ms Grahame said: “I understand that the ESF (European Social Fund) funding received directly by the college in 2015-16 was around £260,000 and of this, £210,000 funded student places with the rest funding projects for students to travel in Europe for work experience.

“This amount of funding represents about 2.28 per cent of the student activity that the college is targeted to deliver. 

“In addition, the college delivers a number of programmes with partners which are also partly funded through ESF, for example, SDS employability programmes and foundation apprenticeships.”

While the full impact of Brexit on the college is currently unknown, Principal McIntyre worries that the current financial circumstances could very well change.

Ms Grahame added: “I will be following up several of the topics covered in our useful meeting. In particular, I undertook to set up a meeting with education secretary John Swinney.”