27 Not Addressed

In the early months of the covid-19 pandemic there was a great deal of concern...

Conclusion
In the early months of the covid-19 pandemic there was a great deal of concern around the financial impact it would have on university finances. Concern was not only confined to the universities already struggling and with deficits and low levels of reserves pre- pandemic, but was also for the traditionally more financially secure ‘ancient’ universities, due to their reliance on overseas students. Whilst a fall in international student tuition fee income would have a significant effect longer term, Universities Scotland identified that refunds given to students leaving university-owned accommodation in March 2020 was the most immediate cause of financial pressure.50 Although the outlook now looks stronger (as outlined in paragraph 32), a deficit of between £450 million and £500 million was initially expected for the higher education sector in Scotland in 2020–21.51 Financial interventions made by the UK and Scottish Governments in response to the pandemic
Government Response Summary
The government's response reiterates that higher education is a devolved responsibility and emphasizes the importance of continuing close working relationships with the Scottish Government, without directly addressing the initial financial concerns and expected deficits for Scottish universities during the pandemic.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government Not Addressed
While higher education remains a devolved responsibility of the Scottish Government the inquiry provides an important opportunity to consider how areas of reserved UK Government policy can have an impact on the sector. It will be important to continue our close and constructive working relationships with the Scottish Government as we look to support the sector and recover from the challenges posed by COVID-19. Scotland has a strong global reputation for higher education and research and we need to work together to ensure this continues. Higher Education in Scotland is, for the most part, a devolved responsibility. We recognise that the whole of the UK benefits from stability across Higher Education. We appreciate the importance of continuing to work closely with the Scottish Government as we recover from the COVID pandemic. There has been and continues to be engagement at ministerial and official level with the Scottish Government (and the other devolved administrations) to exchange information and policy developments across a range of issues facing education systems in the UK. Furthermore, the UK Government has been working tirelessly to support businesses and the economy in Scotland including our universities.
Source
Committee Scottish Affairs Committee
Inquiry Universities and Scotland
Report First Report - Universities and Scotland 28 May 2021 HC 54
View on Parliament website
Addressee Bodies
Scotland Office
Timeline
Recommendation age 5.2 yrs
Report published 28 May 2021