34 Acknowledged

The ongoing effects of the covid-19 pandemic will have financial implications for the foreseeable future,88...

Conclusion
The ongoing effects of the covid-19 pandemic will have financial implications for the foreseeable future,88 with Minister Lochhead, Scottish Government, recognising that there was “more to be done”89 to support universities. The Scottish Funding Council has identified some of the main continuing financial pressures facing Scottish universities: • The fall in stock markets and pressures on the local and global economy leading to significant drops in regular donations and income from endowments. • Commercial income reductions from residence income, catering and sport. • Research activities affected by closures. • Additional costs from IT and support costs to support online teaching, and assessment and feedback, along with contract costs associated with the suspension of work on campus redevelopment programmes.90
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the ongoing financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and the identified pressures facing Scottish universities, stressing that higher education is largely a devolved responsibility. It highlights ongoing collaboration with the Scottish Government and the UK government's efforts to support the sector's recovery.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government Acknowledged
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