Ministers under fire after U-turn on higher education funds

Calum Ross 05 May 2023

The heads of Scotland’s higher and further education institutions were told by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) on Tuesday 2 May the money announced in December’s budget was now “not available”. They were reportedly informed the Scottish government needs the cash to meet other priorities, writes Calum Ross for The Scotsman.

The move, which emerged amid rising fears about the impact of the spending squeeze on the sector, was branded “completely inexplicable” and a “total betrayal”. Opposition MSPs demanded ministers “urgently” explain the decision to parliament.

In December, Deputy First Minister John Swinney had announced £26 million (US$33 million) for colleges and £20 million for universities. Universities and colleges had been awaiting the £46 million promised in the budget, but concerns had been growing in private amid a lack of detail from the government about when it would arrive and what it was to be used for.
Full report on The Scotsman site

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