We have responded to the UK Government’s consultation on Invest 2035: the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy following the publication of its green paper in October. We developed a response to 13 of the 35 consultation questions in partnership with our Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee. Scotland’s universities are eager to work with UK Government to…
Briefings & Evidence
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Pre-budget scrutiny 2025/26: letter to the Education Committee
Following our appearance to the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee in June and Minister Graeme Dey’s appearance on their inquiry into pre-budget scrutiny 2025/26, we have written a letter detailing further points that we believe to be useful for the inquiry. In our letter, we discuss the following points; A positive summer…
Post-school reform consultation on legislation response
We have submitted our response to the Scottish Government consultation on Post-16 school reform, which closed on Friday 20 September. The consultation considered change to the roles and responsibilities of three public bodies in the post-school landscape: the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). In our response,…
Education (Scotland) Bill: detailed call for views
The Scottish Government published the Education (Scotland) Bill on 4 June. The Bill is about establishing a new qualifications body, Qualifications Scotland, to replace SQA, and establishing a separate inspectorate body. The Education, Children and Young People Committee issued a call for views (closed on Friday 30 August) and US responded to the short call…
Submission to Finance Committee: Managing Scotland’s Public Finances: A Strategic Approach
We have responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee’s consultation on Managing Scotland’s Public Finances: A Strategic Approach. Key elements in our response are: Universities Scotland advocates for Scottish Government to invest capital funding in universities’ research and innovation activities which boost economic growth for the collective benefit of Scotland. The enabling funding Scottish Government…
Submission to the Education, Children and Young People’s Committee on pre-budget scrutiny for 2025/26
We have made a submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People’s Committee ahead of our appearance on Tuesday 12 June on their pre-budget scrutiny session for FY 2025/26. In our submission, we have highlighted some key areas including: The university sector has faced real terms cuts for almost a decade, creating a…
40 Faces campaign, a letter to the Education, Children and Young People’s Committee
Following the launch of our ’40 Faces’ campaign on 15 April, we wrote to Sue Webber MSP as the Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People’s Committee. The campaign calls on stakeholders to refocus their efforts towards the ambitious access goals set for 2030 by the Commission for Widening Access in the…
Petition PE2009: Ensure fair access to Scottish universities for all residents in Scotland and the UK, a letter to the Committee
Following a request from the Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participaiton and Public Petitions Committee, we have written a letter to the Committee regarding whether data from each university on how many Scottish-domiciled students are accepted onto each course annually could be published. In our response, we have highlighted three key points: Universities adhere to two codes…
Briefing on widening access: Scottish Government debate
Ahead of the Scottish Government led debate on widening access this week, we have prepared a brief that has went to MSPs which outlines our key asks for the widening access agenda. This is to ensure universities are able to meet the 2030 target of 20% of students from the most 20% deprived areas attend…
Brief on Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill – UK Legislation
Universities Scotland has provided a briefing note to MSPs regarding the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill – UK legislation which is due to be debated in parliament. The Scottish Parliament must decide if they should provide this Bill with a legislative consent motion. Universities Scotland is politically neutral on matters related to…