Universities and Scotland

Scottish Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 5 Aug 2020 Closed: 22 Apr 2022 Parliament page
The future funding of Scotland’s universities and fees for overseas and non-EU students will be the subject of this inquiry. The Committee will also use this inquiry as an opportunity to examine the impact policies made in Whitehall will have on Scottish Universities, their students, their employees and on research. … Read more
29 Recommendations
122 Conclusions
1 Report
7 Oral sessions
4 Letters
11 Events
Activity timeline 17 events
16 May
2022
Correspondence
27 Apr
2022
Report published
27 Apr
2022
Correspondence
7 Mar
2022
Correspondence
2 Mar
2022
Correspondence
28 May
2021
Report published
28 May
2021
Informal meeting · Virtual meeting
19 May
2021
Formal meeting (private meeting) · Virtual meeting
25 Feb
2021
Oral evidence
2 Feb
2021
Outreach event · Virtual Meeting
28 Jan
2021
Oral evidence
13 Jan
2021
Outreach event · Virtual meeting
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
25 Feb 2021
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Iain Stewart MP · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland Rebecca Hackett · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
28 Jan 2021
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Lauren McNamara · Student Awards Agency Scotland Richard Lochhead MSP · Scottish Government Roddy Macdonald · Scottish Government
9 Dec 2020
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Professor Nigel Seaton · Abertay University Professor Tim Bedford · University of Strathclyde Rachel Sandison · University of Glasgow
25 Nov 2020
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Professor Chris Pearce · University of Glasgow Professor Katherine Smith · University of Strathclyde Professor Rebecca Lunn MBE · University of Strathclyde
11 Nov 2020
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Dr Stuart Fancey · Scottish Funding Council Karen Watt · Scottish Funding Council
21 Oct 2020
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Mary Senior · University and College Union Scotland Matt Crilly · NUS Scotland
8 Oct 2020
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Alastair Sim · Universities Scotland Dr Vicky Johnson · University of the Highlands and Islands Professor James Conroy · University of Glasgow
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Universities and Scotland HC 54 28 May 2021 151 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
10 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Public sector funding for higher education in Scotland has reduced by 12% in real terms...
Public sector funding for higher education in Scotland has reduced by 12% in real terms in seven years. In addition, despite the policy of free tuition for Scottish students, and a cap on Scottish student numbers, only 90% of the … Read more
Government Response
The government effectively rejected the recommendation to diversify income streams away from international student fees by reaffirming its strategy to increase international student numbers to 600,000 by 2030 and detailing existing scholarship programs and promotional efforts.
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83 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Rachel Sandison, University of Glasgow, was equally complimentary of Erasmus+ in her evidence, telling us...
Rachel Sandison, University of Glasgow, was equally complimentary of Erasmus+ in her evidence, telling us that: 193 Q209 194 Q210 195 Erasmus+, ‘About Erasmus+’, accessed 24 January 2021 196 Erasmus+, ‘About Erasmus+’, accessed 24 January 2021 197 RSE Young Academy … Read more
Government Response
The government confirmed three-year funding for the Turing Scheme, maintaining £110 million for 2022/23, and reiterated its commitment to evaluating and developing the scheme. It explicitly stated that partial association with the Erasmus+ programme is not legally possible.
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90 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Universities and Sc…
As reflected on by Rachel Sandison, University of Glasgow, another aspect of the Turing Scheme...
As reflected on by Rachel Sandison, University of Glasgow, another aspect of the Turing Scheme is that it is not currently envisaged that it will fund staff mobility, like Erasmus+ did. She told us that: Although we have had 3,000 … Read more
Government Response
The government reiterated its commitment and funding for the Turing Scheme, explicitly stating that it prioritises pupils, students, and learners over staff and inward mobility funding, thereby rejecting the implied recommendation to include staff mobility.
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92 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Universities and Sc…
On 28 December 2020 Richard Lochhead MSP, Scottish Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and...
On 28 December 2020 Richard Lochhead MSP, Scottish Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, expressed his “profound disappointment” at the UK Government’s decision to withdraw from the Erasmus.213 He described the move as “a huge blow”, said that … Read more
Government Response
The government confirmed funding for the Turing Scheme for the next three years at £110 million, outlining its commitment to developing the scheme and evaluating its impact. It stated that partial association with the Erasmus+ programme is not legally possible.
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101 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Universities and Sc…
We note with regret however that the Turing scheme will not—as currently envisaged—support inward placements...
We note with regret however that the Turing scheme will not—as currently envisaged—support inward placements to the UK. As the Government recognises, as well as providing Scottish universities and local economies with an important income source, inward placements support the … Read more
Government Response
The government confirmed three years of funding for the Turing Scheme at £110 million for 2022/23 but noted the scheme prioritises outward mobility over inward placements and staff. It therefore did not commit to expanding the scheme to incorporate inward international student and academic staff placements.
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103 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Similarly, academics in Scotland have backed proposals to look at ways in which Scotland can...
Similarly, academics in Scotland have backed proposals to look at ways in which Scotland can continue an association with Erasmus+. It has been reported that a motion calling for a working group to examine options to achieve this received support … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the possibility of Scotland continuing an association with Erasmus+, stating that it is not legally possible for part of a country to associate with the program. It reaffirmed funding for the Turing Scheme for the next three years.
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106 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Universities and Sc…
The Scottish Government has indicated a desire to remain in the Erasmus+ programme.
The Scottish Government has indicated a desire to remain in the Erasmus+ programme. Should they decide to continue down this path and be willing to cover the associated costs, and should the EU consent to Scottish participation, the UK Government … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation for Scotland to independently participate in Erasmus+, stating that association by part of a country is not legally possible, according to President Von Der Leyen.
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130 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Universities and Sc…
The work of Scottish universities in combating covid-19 has been nothing short of remarkable.
The work of Scottish universities in combating covid-19 has been nothing short of remarkable. Going forward, the academic outputs of Scottish universities will not only support our economic recovery following the pandemic but also bolster the UK’s standing in the … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation for dedicated Scottish seats on the UKRI Board and Executive Committee, stating appointments are merit-based and do not represent specific constituencies or regional groupings.
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145 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - Universities and Sc…
A UK immigration policy raised—and praised—by many witnesses to this inquiry was the Post-study work...
A UK immigration policy raised—and praised—by many witnesses to this inquiry was the Post-study work visa (detailed further in paragraph 78).338 Witnesses were also complimentary of the UK’s Global Talent visa, and its ability to facilitate inward mobility of world-leading … Read more
Government Response
The government asserts that UK visa fees are broadly competitive and are kept under review, justifying them as necessary to fund the migration system and reduce taxpayer burden, without committing to changes.
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146 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Wellcome go on to say that “for the Global Talent visa to be a globally...
Wellcome go on to say that “for the Global Talent visa to be a globally competitive offer for researchers, and particularly for those early on in their careers, this must be revisited as a priority”.343 They also point out that: … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to substantially reduce visa charges, stating that UK visa fees are broadly in line with competitors and that income from fees helps fund the migration and borders system, reducing the burden on taxpayers. Fees are kept under review but no commitment to reduction was made.
Scotland Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 141 of 29 classified
Accepted 44
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 48
Deferred 5
Not Addressed 32
Rejected 10
Total 29 recs + 122 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
16 May 2022 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for Scotland on the UK Government response to the Universities and Scotland report, dated 10 May 2022
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27 Apr 2022 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland on the UK Government response to the Universities and Scotland report, dated 25 April 2022
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7 Mar 2022 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for Scotland, on Government responses to Committee reports, dated 4 March 2022
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2 Mar 2022 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland on Government responses to Committee reports, dated 21 February 2022
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