Plans to give up to 60,000 EU nationals living in Scotland a vote in the independence referendum have been defended by the country's Finance Secretary.

John Swinney said the proposed approach would mirror that taken in past votes, such as last year's Holyrood elections or the referendum which led to the creation of the Scottish Parliament.

He said many EU nationals had lived in Scotland for decades and "make a contribution" to the country.

Mr Swinney's comments came after the Scotland on Sunday newspaper reported that 58,004 people from European Union nations would be allowed to vote in the independence ballot.

The newspaper said the figure was revealed to MPs by Conservative Scotland Office minister David Mundell.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the people who "live, work and bring up their families in Scotland" should be the ones taking the decisions about the country's future, when he launched the Scottish Government's consultation on the referendum on January 25.

Appearing on the BBC's Sunday Politics show, Mr Swinney was asked whether such a situation was reasonable when 750,000 Scots living south of the border would not be able to vote in the referendum.

The Finance Secretary, who did not dispute the figures, told the programme: "The franchise issue is an important one for the referendum and the approach that we've taken is to essentially mirror the franchise that elected the Scottish Parliament in May of last year, the franchise that led to the referendum in 1997 which established the Scottish Parliament, which is essentially the local government and Scottish Parliament franchise.

"That does include the 60,000 EU nationals that are living in Scotland. But many of these individuals - I can think of constituents of my own who are EU nationals - have been living in Scotland for 10, 20, 30, 40 years, creating opportunities and wealth in our communities. This is very much their home, so they're able to make a contribution to Scotland.

"Of course, the one difference that we would put forward in the franchise is that we would want to extend the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds to make sure that young people whose futures are entwined with the issues around the independence referendum have an opportunity to express an opinion."

Cuts in college funding

During the programme, Mr Swinney was also asked about proposed cuts in college funding in the light of additional money the Scottish Government will receive for 2011-12 as a consequence of Westminster spending decisions.

The Finance Secretary said: "It's an area that's still under consideration and discussion, but what I would say is that there has been material change in the Government's Budget since it was announced in September."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "John Swinney has a real opportunity this week to show his support for Scotland's colleges and reverse his cut to this sector with the extra money he has from Westminster.

"Mr Swinney says that economic growth is the Scottish Government's number one priority but he is choosing to cut an area that is vital for tackling unemployment.

"Scotland's colleges help people from a range of different backgrounds get up and get on and in this current financial climate, they are vital for Scotland's economic growth. The SNP must make the right choices and support Scotland's colleges."

Labour MSP Ken Macintosh added: "If John Swinney is changing his position on massive cuts proposed to colleges, that is welcome. It shows the growing campaign from parents, students and lecturers is working. But he needs to act, not just listen."