Smith: SNP Government must take responsibility for university cuts

Reports today state that Strathclyde University is planning to end some degree courses, following similar moves by other Scottish universities – including Glasgow, Dundee and Stirling.

Liz Smith MSP, Scottish Conservative Education Spokesperson, said:

"Unfortunately, these latest reports of cuts to jobs, places and courses at some of our finest universities should not come as a surprise.

"The sad truth is that these plans are a result of the short-sightedness of the SNP education policies over the last Parliament. Together with university principals, Universities Scotland and other leading experts on the sector like Sir Andrew Cubie and Lord Sutherland, the Scottish Conservatives have repeatedly warned that SNP proposals to fund higher education were neither credible nor numerate.

"There is a funding gap of at least £200m facing Scottish universities, which could easily rise to £300m on the back of higher tuition fees in England.

"Being dishonest with the electorate may have gained the SNP a parliamentary majority, but now they have formed government they must drop the deceit and take another look at how they are going to fund Scottish universities. Now they have no excuse. I would suggest the SNP now listens to the experts and considers a graduate contribution, a move backed by two thirds of Scots."

Back to all posts