Hansard

Scotland did not vote to leave the EU. We voted to remain. Scotland continually punches above its weight in research, which ensures access to competitive research funding. Scotland is a country that needs to grow its population to help address skills gaps and deal with an ageing population, which is why free movement of people is crucial. All that is now at risk, and it will be people who pay the price in real life if jobs, investment and education suffer as a result.

In July, a joint statement from the Scottish Government and Universities Scotland reassured EU students in Scotland that they will continue to benefit from free tuition and associated support for the duration of their course. I very much welcomed that statement, which sent a clear message that EU students are welcome in Scotland and that their contribution is valued. We welcome all international students who choose to study at Scottish higher education institutions.

The number of EU international students at Scottish higher education institutions is a testament to our world-class university sector—five of our universities are in the top 200 in the world. Scotland is home to nearly 13,500 EU undergraduate students and nearly 5,400 postgraduate students, and we have 4,600 EU staff working in our higher education institutions. In anybody’s language, that is a valuable economic, social and educational learning contribution to Scotland. It is good for Scotland, and indeed for the wider UK, for international students to be here and then go back to their country, become leaders and remember fondly their time in Scotland.

Skills shortages are a particular issue for Scotland. More jobs are hard to fill here because of skills shortages than in any other part of the UK. A report by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills found that in 2014 25 per cent of all job vacancies in Scotland were hard to fill because of a shortage in available skills, which was up from 15 per cent in 2011. The Scottish Government has raised concerns that the increase in skills shortages has occurred in the period following the closure of the post-study work visa, which has been touched on in the debate. The Scottish Government has consistently argued that improved post-study work routes would be beneficial to Scotland’s economic growth.

The reintroduction of a post-study work visa, which would allow international students to remain in Scotland and contribute to the economy for a defined period on completion of their studies, is crucial for Scotland’s future prosperity. Therefore, the UK Government’s reintroduction of the scheme for the south-east of England at the expense of elsewhere in the UK flies in the face of the one-nation position that we continually hear about from the London Government.

I will touch on the Erasmus scheme, which Iain Gray spoke about a few moments ago. I have already put on record my personal involvement with studying in the EU via the then Socrates scheme as well as through receiving funding from the European social fund, which allowed me to study for my masters qualification. The Colleges Scotland briefing for the debate is correct in stating:

“The opportunity for student exchange within Europe enriches the learning experience, enhances employability and promotes greater understanding and respect of different people and cultures.”

I have to say that the social side was not bad either.

I look back with great fondness on my time spent studying in France, Germany and Sweden and think of how my life has been enriched by my having had those opportunities. Without EU funding, I could not have gone there. My family were not flush with cash and, although my parents always helped my sister and me, there was no way that they could have paid the extra expense to allow me to study abroad. I am delighted that Scotland has 1,600 students going to study in EU countries via the Erasmus scheme. My disappointment is that it is only 1,600.

I could not wait to sign up to get the chance to study elsewhere, because I knew that the opportunities would be hugely beneficial for me. However, now that the Brexit vote has taken place and we have heard, at the weekend, that article 50 will be triggered by the end of March next year, what will the impact be on those Scottish school students who are thinking about studying at an EU institution but now cannot be guaranteed the funding to enable them to go? The easy response from some will be that the Scottish Government should fill the gap. However, it is not just a Scottish issue but a UK-wide problem; therefore, the UK Government, after creating the problem needlessly, needs to guarantee that school students across the UK who wish to study a language and have the opportunity to study abroad will still have that opportunity.

I was disappointed to read Amber Rudd’s comments today about

“tougher rules for students on lower quality courses”.

As I said a few moments ago, when someone goes to study abroad it is not just about the education; it is about the social, cultural and economically beneficial effects of that opportunity. I genuinely find Amber Rudd’s comments offensive and narrow minded, to say the least.

Despite the misconceptions of some people, not every Scot grows up in a tenement. Equally, however, not every Scot grows up in a leafy suburb. Some Scots want to study languages and have the life experience of going to study in a different country. Surely, Brexit should not close off that opportunity and aspiration, but that is what appears to be on the horizon thanks to the UK Government.

I grew up in Port Glasgow. I have a great family and friends, and my parents were always encouraging me to have a better life and look for better opportunities than they had. That is what parents do. My parents knew that, when I picked languages at school, the intention was to open up different opportunities for the years ahead. I want to do likewise for my children, but also for every child in my constituency and across Scotland.

In conclusion, Presiding Officer, the uncertainty caused by the UK Government in delaying decisions could lead to the financial exposure of many millions of pounds if it is not addressed, and it puts significant investment and jobs at risk, revealing the reality of Brexit.

Finally, Presiding Officer, addressing that uncertainty means the continuation of as close a relationship as possible with the EU and—for those of us in the SNP—our continued membership of networks such as Erasmus, agreements such as freedom of movement and the single market. Those things are crucial for Scotland’s economy going forward.