We have written a briefing for MSPs regarding the Education (Scotland) Bill, which sets out our position and cause for concern on proposed amendments at stage two of the Bill. The Education (Scotland) Bill looks to establish a new body called Qualifications Scotland. It also looks to create a new office His Majesty’s Chief Inspector…
Tag: Politics
Youth mobility and UK-EU trade and Cooperation Agreement: submission to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee
Ahead of giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee on Thursday 30 January, we have made a written submission to the Committee. The session will look at UK-EU trade and Cooperation Agreement, with a focus on youth mobility. In our submission, we highlight the various youth mobility options within…
AI opportunities action plan: responding to the UK Government launch
The UK Government has today launched its AI opportunities action plan following the commission of the Clifford Review. The Government has accepted all 50 recommendations from the Review. Responding to the UK Government’s announcement of the AI Opportunities Action Plan on Monday 13 January, Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Scottish universities are at the…
UK Government Industrial Strategy consultation response
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…
Universities revise budget bid to Scottish Government upwards as there is no scope to absorb increased costs
We have taken the unprecedented step of increasing our 2025/26 budget ask of the Scottish Government. Since we submitted this in September, there have been two significant changes in our funding environment. Firstly, the announcement in the UK Government’s autumn budget that there would be an increase in employer National Insurance Contributions (ENIC) 2025/26. We have…
Scotland’s universities still have another budget to contend with
With the UK Government’s budget now delivered, November sees a frenzied month of activity for the Scottish Government as it crunches numbers ahead of its own budget for 2025/26, to be announced on 4 December, writes Universities Scotland Director Claire McPherson. Spare a thought for Scotland’s universities, facing the prospect of all that pre-budget speculation…
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…
UK Government outlines position on international students
Last week, the Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson set out the position of the Labour Government on international students. She made it clear that international students are welcome in the UK. We strongly welcome this announcement. International students contribute widely to society and to our communities during their time in the UK. Our…
Response to the next steps on post-school reform: a Scottish Government consultation
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on proposals for legislation to change what public bodies do in the post-school system. This consultation will focus on gathering proposals that aim to simplify the responsibilities for apprenticeships and student support. Following the launch of this consultation, Professor Iain Gillespie, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “Following dialogue…
Will Whitehorn: The importance of the graduate route to the UK
Published in The Times today, Will Whitehorn outlines the importance of the graduate route to the UK, determining that it should remain as it is. He highlights that the removal or reform of the graduate route would have a negative impact on university finances immediately, and a damaging impact on industry, on growth, on innovation…