Universities Scotland is extremely disappointed by the Scottish Government’s decision to withdraw £20 million of resource funding allocated to the higher education sector for financial year (FY) 2023/24 and to reverse aspects of the budget decision as supported by the Scottish Parliament in the Budget Bill (now Act) as passed on 21 February 2023.
Tag: scottish government
£20m cut “extremely disappointing”
This afternoon (Tuesday 2 May), Principals of Scotland’s universities were informed by the Scottish Funding Council that the £20 million of additional resource funding allocated to the sector in December’s budget by the Scottish Government is now “not available for distribution and has been identified as a necessary saving”. Universities were told that Scottish Government…
Students’ hopes, uncertainties and university support revealed to Minister on visit to Queen Margaret University
Students attending universities from across Edinburgh met the Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, Graeme Dey MSP, to share the range of challenges and opportunities they face as undergraduates, in a visit to Queen Margaret University Edinburgh on Thursday 20 April. Universities across Scotland offer active support to their students in…
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….
Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland call on the Scottish Government for investment now
The leaders of both Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland have published a joint statement calling for real-terms increases in funding ahead of the Scottish Government’s budget which is due on Thursday 15 December. The statement highlights the alignment between the university and college role in skills development, research and innovation and the Scottish Government’s ambitions…
Professor George Boyne at the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People committee
On Wednesday 28 September, Professor George Boyne Principal of the University of Aberdeen appeared before the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People committee to represent Universities Scotland. Professor Boyne highlighted the benefits of additional investment in Scottish universities. Questions focused on the over-reliance on international student fees to fund core business, the sector’s research…
Universities Scotland’s articulation of the sector’s principles
Throughout Spring/Summer of 2022, the Scottish Government is consulting on a set of principles for the further and higher education sector to define ‘tertiary’ education. Universities are driven by a strong values and principles. As part of this consultation, Scottish university leaders have come together to articulate the principles that inspire us. These principles are:…
Efficiency and reform in Scotland’s higher education
We have released our statement on efficiency and reform in Scotland’s higher education, the intention of the Scottish Government’s Resource Spending Review to make the public sector more efficient and help the Government realise its ambition for better outcomes. We welcome the opportunity to work with the Scottish Government on this agenda and encourage Scottish…