Varsity funding

The Scottish Government has given our universities a one-off funding boost of £75 million to help them cope in the wake of Covid-19. Education Secretary John Swinney insisted that the UK government should also contribute and fund Scottish universities.

He and the Scottish Government have a nerve. Since the SNP came to power they have monotonously blamed Westminster, moaned over trivial issues, reacted to every perceived slight and constantly complained that Scotland was being ignored.

The Scottish Parliament demanded devolution and they got it, including control of Scottish universities.

Now the Scottish Parliament does not have the funds to bail out Scotland’s universities, which will have an estimated £500 million deficit due to Covid-19.

Mr Swinney, why should English taxpayers bail out Scottish universities when your Scottish Government policy gives free education not only to those residing in Scotland, but also to European Union students?

He will not want it to be remembered that many suitably qualified students living in Scotland were denied places at a Scottish university since places were prioritised for feepaying foreign students.

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