Smith welcomes Universities Scotland support for Conservative policy

A circular from Universities Scotland has proposed the establishment of a graduate contribution warning that thousands of students will be turned away unless a new source of funding can be found.

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education Liz Smith MSP said:

"Universities Scotland is rightly concerned about the future funding of universities and I welcome their support for our policy of introducing a graduate contribution.

"The situation which Scottish universities face is grave and unless there is immediate action to invest more in the sector then we will not only see fewer places for prospective students, but a diminution in quality and standards with our universities falling behind those in the rest of the UK and internationally.

"The SNP Government cannot continue to avoid the necessary but difficult decisions, preferring instead to kick the issue into the long grass until after the election. Scottish Conservatives have been clear about our proposals to introduce a graduate contribution which would only be paid once a graduate earns over a given threshold and at a rate affordable to them.

"It is time the other parties treated this issue with the importance it deserves and outline their own ideas for guaranteeing the future of higher education."

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