The college sector in Scotland is too centralised, a report on further education will state tomorrow. Reform Scotland’s ‘A New Deal For Scotland’s Colleges’ said the Scottish Government’s approach meant colleges were unable to respond to local needs and pressures, a view shared by the Scottish Conservatives. The paper also said it was time colleges ceased being viewed as the poor relations of universities, and that young people aged between 16 and 19 should receive an annual entitlement which they could use to access education across Scotland. Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith said: “The charge is being firmly laid at the door of the Scottish Government that its current college reforms are far too centralising. “That undermines the ability of colleges to respond to the diverse needs of their students and local economies. “We welcome this report, and just as is the case with our policy on schools, we are very supportive of Reform Scotland’s proposal to introduce an annual entitlement allowing all 16-19-year-olds to access education at any school or college. “By doing this, it puts the power into the hands of the service provider rather than the state.”