Higher education

The University and College Union (UCU) said it was “deeply disappointed” by the real-terms cut to the higher education budget.

The Scottish Funding Council, which provides money for the country’s universities, will receive £1.84bn in 2019-20.

At least 116,000 full-time equivalent college places will also be maintained.

The Scottish Government said there would be “continued investment” in both higher and further education.

But Mary Senior, UCU Scotland official, said: “This is a deeply disappointing budget for Scottish higher education.

“Today’s real-terms cut to the sector’s funding will ultimately hit students the hardest. If we value our universities and the teaching, knowledge exchange and research they provide, then we needed a funding settlement to match the politicians’ warm words. Sadly, we’ve not seen that today.”