Ludicrous free education pledge: SNP must stop playing politics with our universities

The SNP are playing politics with their completely ludicrous suggestion that higher education north of the border should be completely free and funded entirely from general taxation.

These plans are only affordable if we make severe spending cutbacks in other areas, or hike up taxes substantially.

Liz Smith MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning, said:

"Quite frankly, no-one believes the SNP any more. It is simply not credible to say that the state can shoulder all the burden of higher education if we are to raise academic standards, maintain our international competitiveness and widen access with sufficient bursary support for poorer students. The Cabinet Secretary's sums do not add up unless the SNP is going to impose a substantial hike in tax or make severe spending cutbacks in other budget areas.

"He has been told by so many experts in the field - Sir Andrew Cubie, Alastair Sim and the SNP's own economic adviser, Sir George Mathewson to name just a few - that the long term sustainability of our university system is not possible without an additional source of income coming into the system. That additional amount will not be achieved just by savings and greater efficiencies in the university infrastructure. We need more money and that is why we need a graduate contribution.

"The SNP is living on a different planet if it thinks 'free' higher education is the answer. Just like the class size policy became the albatross round the SNP's neck, their policy on higher education is heading exactly the same way. They must stop playing politics with our universities."

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