Meeting of the Parliament 03 June 2015
Of course there has been a transfer of resources, but that has no impact on the level of support available to students. SAAS funding for student support is demand led, under criteria that are published and decided on by the Government. The funding is demand led and therefore responds to the needs of students. Where possible, the Government will always endeavour to increase resources to support students, within our available resources, such as the improvement to the overall living support package that I announced a few weeks ago.
There have been changes to the distribution of the research excellence grant. Six institutions have seen a reduction in their research funding, but 12 have received an uplift. It is therefore not true that every institution has had a reduction in its research funding, although the global excellence initiative fund—which was always a time-limited fund—no longer exists. Of course that has an impact on institutions and their deliberations, but the change in the distribution of the research excellence grant is due to the general improvement among Scottish universities in the UK-wide research excellence framework for 2014.
Mr Baker demanded a response from the Scottish Government on job losses in Aberdeen. Job losses in any institution or sector in Scotland are always regrettable, but the savings that are being sought at Aberdeen are not related to changes in research funding. The university is seeking to make savings of £10.5 million, but the reduction in research funding is just £350,000 for the next academic year.
I will happily close my remarks there because I appreciate that time is pressing.
15:44