Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 16 March 2011
16 Mar 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Higher Education Funding
We are dealing with intelligent, skilled and passionate people in every part of the university structure. It is clear that there will be contending ideas and disputes of various types. After all, that is, to an extent, the foundation of our higher education system, which lies in disputation.
I hope that two things will be borne in mind, the first of which is the great financial difficulties that exist right across the public sector. The wrecking of the public finances by Labour and the decision by the Tories and the Liberals to cut too far and too fast are causing huge difficulties in Scotland. Not having a normal Parliament with the normal financial powers adds to those difficulties. We must live with that situation. In an ideal—or even a normal—world, we would not have to do so.
In addition, there is the issue of autonomous bodies having to make decisions and their being allowed to do so in a responsible way. I hope that there will be discussion, negotiation and consideration, which might lead, in time, to the realisation that this Parliament needs full financial powers to make decisions about the resources of Scotland instead of being told what to do by failed parties elsewhere.
I hope that two things will be borne in mind, the first of which is the great financial difficulties that exist right across the public sector. The wrecking of the public finances by Labour and the decision by the Tories and the Liberals to cut too far and too fast are causing huge difficulties in Scotland. Not having a normal Parliament with the normal financial powers adds to those difficulties. We must live with that situation. In an ideal—or even a normal—world, we would not have to do so.
In addition, there is the issue of autonomous bodies having to make decisions and their being allowed to do so in a responsible way. I hope that there will be discussion, negotiation and consideration, which might lead, in time, to the realisation that this Parliament needs full financial powers to make decisions about the resources of Scotland instead of being told what to do by failed parties elsewhere.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson)
NPA
Good afternoon. The first item of business this afternoon is a statement by Michael Russell on higher education funding. The cabinet secretary will take ques...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Michael Russell)
SNP
In December, I launched the higher education green paper, “Building a Smarter Future”. The debate that followed has attracted interest from almost 2,000 peop...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The cabinet secretary will take questions on issues raised in his statement. We have just under 20 minutes for questions, after which we must move on to the ...
Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased that the cabinet secretary now recognises that there is a funding gap as a result of the actions of the Con-Dem Government at Westminster in rai...
Michael Russell
SNP
It is almost impossible to deal with a question of that nature, which has no basis in fact. The world in which Mr McNulty lives is entirely mythical. Let me ...
Des McNulty
Lab
Answer the question, cabinet secretary.
Michael Russell
SNP
Given those circumstances, it would be better if there was a moment of silence from Mr McNulty, rather than the smokescreen that we have had.Let me deal with...
Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
The cabinet secretary has been at great pains to say that the SNP’s policy is based on the ability to learn rather than the ability to pay. In his announceme...
Michael Russell
SNP
It is up to the Conservatives to justify their policy of imposing student fees. If they wish to do so, they must do that. Last night, on the BBC television p...
Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD)
LD
I welcome and share the cabinet secretary’s commitment to free education with no fees and no graduate contribution. Our position builds on our record of scra...
Michael Russell
SNP
I certainly agree that there is a need for a new system of student support and that we need to simplify the system. We have had many reviews over the past fe...
Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP)
SNP
The education secretary’s commitment to maintaining free higher education is to be warmly welcomed. Is he able to say what effect free education, compared wi...
Michael Russell
SNP
Yes. I notice that the Conservatives south of the border—indeed, Elizabeth Smith mentioned it last night in her contribution to the TV debate—believe that, b...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
The evidence shows it. Read the evidence.
Michael Russell
SNP
The Conservative party has not tackled some interesting research from the other side of the Atlantic, which shows without doubt that part of the fragmentatio...
Elizabeth Smith
Con
It happened in England.
Murdo Fraser
Con
It happened in England.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order. I call Claire Baker.
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
Universities agreed to compensate for a 10 per cent cut in funded places in 2011-12 with an increase in fees-only places. What discussions has the cabinet se...
Michael Russell
SNP
There is an agreement—it is a one-year-only deal. That is the agreement that we reached and which university principals are honouring. That is why we need to...
Murdo Fraser
Con
If fees are introduced for EU students studying at Scottish universities, as the cabinet secretary has proposed, what does that mean for Scottish students st...
Michael Russell
SNP
There is no proposal to introduce fees because we are not able to do that—I have made that absolutely clear. However, there is an issue about whether it is p...
Hugh O’Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD)
LD
The cabinet secretary referred to articulation. Does he recognise that departments of adult education are critical to the prospect of articulation? How will ...
Michael Russell
SNP
I indicated in my statement that there is a balance between autonomy of organisations and public funding. I discussed these matters with Professor Muscatelli...
Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the reaffirmation of the Scottish Government’s support for free education, but I want to ask the cabinet secretary a question about governance. One...
Michael Russell
SNP
That is an interesting proposal. Among the many fascinating pieces of material that we received as part of the green paper process were the comprehensive and...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
I was pleased to hear that the minister has had discussions with the principal of the University of Glasgow, but he did not say whether he believes that it i...
Michael Russell
SNP
If there were a proposal so to do, quite clearly, I would comment on it. As I understand, there is a consultation going on. My concern is that those who, qui...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green)
Green
Given that the level of discontent is such that there are threats of strikes at two Edinburgh universities and there have been sit-ins in Glasgow, does the c...
Michael Russell
SNP
We are dealing with intelligent, skilled and passionate people in every part of the university structure. It is clear that there will be contending ideas and...