First Report - Universities and Scotland

Select Committee
Scottish Affairs Committee HC 54 28 May 2021
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 151 items (29 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 141 of 151 classified)
Accepted 44
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 48
Deferred 5
Not Addressed 32
Rejected 10
Government response
Fourth Special Report - Universities and Scotland: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report · published 27 Apr 2022
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Recommendations & Conclusions

10 results
3 Recommendation Rejected
Para 52
Public sector funding for higher education in Scotland has reduced by 12% in real terms...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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.
Scotland Office
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83 Conclusion Rejected
Rachel Sandison, University of Glasgow, was equally complimentary of Erasmus+ in her evidence, telling us...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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
As reflected on by Rachel Sandison, University of Glasgow, another aspect of the Turing Scheme...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
Scotland Office
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92 Conclusion Rejected
On 28 December 2020 Richard Lochhead MSP, Scottish Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
Scotland Office
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101 Recommendation Rejected
We note with regret however that the Turing scheme will not—as currently envisaged—support inward placements...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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.
Scotland Office
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103 Conclusion Rejected
Similarly, academics in Scotland have backed proposals to look at ways in which Scotland can...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
Scotland Office
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106 Recommendation Rejected
The Scottish Government has indicated a desire to remain in the Erasmus+ programme.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
The work of Scottish universities in combating covid-19 has been nothing short of remarkable.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
A UK immigration policy raised—and praised—by many witnesses to this inquiry was the Post-study work...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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
Wellcome go on to say that “for the Global Talent visa to be a globally...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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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