‘Immigration rules add to pressure’
further reductions could be required to plug a £28.5 million hole in their finances.
Giving evidence to Holyrood’s education committee yesterday, Ms Gilruth told MSPS that the pressures were being accentuated by tighter immigration rules introduced by the UK Government, which were “harming” the ability of Scottish universities to attract international students, who pay the high fees which universities rely on to help support places for Scots.
Responding to questions from Conservative Liam Kerr, the education secretary said she recognised arguments relating to “cross-fertilisation of Scottish places”, which she said was “not a new feature” of higher education funding.
She said: "It has been the case for a number of years, and bluntly it relates to my party’s policy of funding free tuition for our students.
"I think that’s a good policy, it’s a policy I will stand by, but it does create challenges for our universities, I recognise that.”
Ms Gilruth added that universities were “experts” in working independently of government to raise finance, and that she has a “lot of faith” in the sector’s ability to respond to the challenges.
She continued to emphasise the impact of immigration changes, as Mr Kerr pressed her on what action the Government was taking.
Ms Gilruth said: "It’s not my responsibility as Cabinet secretary for education in Scotland to mop up the mess of a Government elsewhere around about its approach to international students and immigration.
"These decisions have been taken elsewhere and they are harming the sector in Scotland.”
The Education Secretary added: "If the member has any leverage with his colleagues in Westminster, then I would suggest that he makes these points to my opponent in Westminster vigorously.
"Because I recognise the challenge here, but I’m not going to walk away from this Government’s policy of supporting free tuition for our young people.”
On reform of Scotland’s education sector, Ms Gilruth confirmed there would be an imminent debate on proposals in the Hayward review, which recommended axing exams at S4 and introducing a new Scottish Diploma of Achievement.
The debate would later be followed by her official response to the report.
Ms Gilruth added: "I think there are parts of it we will take forward. Parts of it I will need to consider.”