Universities Scotland, UCU Scotland and NUS Scotland have today (30 January 2020) written an open letter to the Deputy First Minister ahead of the Scottish Budget on 6 February to highlight the considerable challenge facing university funding as evidenced by three separate and independent reports to emerge over the last year. Over the last twelve…
Tag: Politics
Universities Scotland manifesto ‘asks’ for the 2019 General Election
Ahead of the UK General Election on 12 December 2019, Universities Scotland has prepared a briefing which outlines the higher education policies we’re seeking support for in political parties’ manifestos and from the next government. The short briefing should be considered as a companion to Universities UK’s manifesto briefing. Our ‘asks’ have been divided into…
Universities Scotland respond to Local Government and Communities Committee’s call for views on Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill
Universities Scotland have responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities call for views on the proposed Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill that the committee is currently considering. Read our response to the committee here.
A Vision for Scotland’s universities in 2030
Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, takes the long view and sets out our ambition for Scotland’s higher education sector in 2030: Graduation season is the perfect time to launch our Vision for Scottish higher education in 2030 because graduations represent a springboard into the future and a time full of optimism and energy. That’s…
Submission to Funding of EU Structural Fund Priorities in Scotland, post-Brexit
Universities Scotland have submitted evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution Committee’s inquiry into the Funding of EU Structural Fund Priorities in Scotland, post-Brexit. Structural funds from the European Union have been important for universities in Scotland. After Brexit, there will be a need to replace structural funds. The UK Government is due to…
Universities Scotland comment on the Scottish Government draft budget for 2019-20
Universities Scotland has responded to today’s draft budget announcement for 2019-20 from the Scottish Government. The settlement means a real terms cut for university funding, relative to 2018-19. Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “It’s very difficult to learn that funding for universities is going to drop in real terms by 1.79 per…
Higher and further education sectors’ joint statement on Brexit
Colleges, universities, trade unions and the Scottish Government have signed a joint letter which sets out how they will work together to protect higher and further education from the negative impact of Brexit. The statement – signed by Universities Scotland, Colleges Scotland, the UCU, Unison, the EIS, NUS Scotland, The Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Scottish…
Universities Scotland submission of evidence to Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee inquiry on Article 50: Preparedness
Universities Scotland has responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee inquiry into Article 50: Preparedness. Our submission focuses on the issues that would arise as a result of a ‘no deal’ Brexit and the implications of such an outcome on our membership. Read our consultation response here.
Submission to All-Party Parliamentary University Group
Universities Scotland has submitted a briefing to the All-Party Parliamentary University Group to help inform their meeting on higher education in the devolved nations. All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal, cross-party groups who meet informally to discuss issues of concern or importance. The University APPG will meet on 9 May to discuss UK-wide challenges for…
Response to Ministerial Statement on Widening Access
In response to the Ministerial Statement on Widening Access in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 6 March 2018, Alastair Sim, the Director of Universities Scotland said: Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions, the length and breadth of Scotland, large and specialist, are committed to widening access. Today’s statement from the Minister reiterated a lot of the…