Our response to the Scottish Government budget

Responding to today’s Scottish Government budget for 2023-24, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said:

“The tough financial climate facing Scottish Government is clear for all to see. In that context, we welcome the fact that it has been possible to make a modest 1% cash increase in university funding, worth an extra £12.7 million. However, set against inflationary pressures this overall settlement represents substantial real term cut for universities and the resource available to institutions to invest in their students and staff.

“This year’s real terms cut is the latest in a series since 2014/15 and universities are the only part of the education sector to see budgets continually decline over that period. This leaves universities in a very challenging financial position and will limit their ability to fully contribute to Scotland’s economic transformation. Research and innovation is the fuel to drive the economic growth which Scotland so desperately needs. We now have to ask if the Scottish Government fully understand that.”

Notes:

• There are two main funding lines for universities in the Scottish Government budget published today.
• University resource funding will increase by £20m or 2.53% in cash terms (before inflation).
• University capital funding – which supports university research and innovation as well as the physical/capital estate – will decrease by £7.3m or -2.09% in cash terms (before inflation).
• Both budgets combined, the overall university funding package increases by a total of £12.7 m or 1.1% in cash terms (before inflation).
• The figures in column A-C are from table 7.08 in the Scottish Government’s budget document. Analysis in columns D & E in table below is Universities Scotland’s own.
• Higher education budget lines: