SNP’s higher education settlement plans are just not tenable

The SNP Government has published "Scotland's Budget Documents 2011-12", calling for public services to be delivered with a cash freeze for the next four years.

This means the higher education budget will remain the same, which virtually everyone in the sector believes is untenable.

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

"As usual, the SNP is not facing up to reality. Scotland's higher education sector has warned Mike Russell and the Scottish Government that the current funding settlement is unsustainable beyond this year. Universities are having to take an increase of fees only students in order to sustain numbers on the current funding level, a situation which cannot continue if we want to maintain students numbers, widen access and continue to be in the vanguard of research and teaching excellence.

"This publication tells us the SNP plan on delivering the same settlement for the next four financial years – a proposition which will be incredibly detrimental to our universities. Nobody likes having to deal with the effects of Labour's debt legacy but we need to grasp the thistle and be honest with people.

"Scottish Conservatives have been clear in our proposals to introduce a graduate contribution which will not only raise more money for universities but will also provide extra bursary support for the poorest students. The SNP are still on the back foot regarding university funding and avoiding the main issue – when will they learn?"

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