Scots losing out on uni places

NICOLA Sturgeon states that the Scottish Government’s “priority is to protect Scotland’s interests, and the interests of everyone living, working and studying here” (Sturgeon ready to hear fears of EU citizens in Scotland, News, August 14).

I welcome the contribution made in many fields to our country by EU citizens. I do not, however, believe it is fair that we provide free university fees to those from the rest of the EU while charging those from the rest of the UK.

The latter (or their parents) have paid into the same tax and national insurance system as us over many years – the former have probably never paid anything into the coffers necessary to fund such free fees.

I reckon that this policy has cost us more than £200 million to date. It has also, because funding is capped through the Scottish Funding Council, resulted in Scots losing out on university places in their home country – while the policy of free fees has seen a huge decline in the number of college places made available, places which often offer those from less privileged backgrounds a real chance to get on in life in a useful profession.

I voted to remain in the EU – but I do see that Brexit opens up the opportunity to fashion a more equitable policy in terms of access to Scotland’s universities and colleges.