Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a statement by Shirley-Anne Somerville on widening access to higher education. The minister will take questions at the end of he...

The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science (Shirley-Anne Somerville) SNP

This Government wants every child, no matter their background, to have an equal chance of going to university. Statistics show that, currently, that is not t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

The minister will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow approximately 20 minutes, or perhaps a little bit extra, for qu...

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I thank the minister for prior sight of her statement. I also welcome the work that has been undertaken by Sir Peter Scott, by the universities themselves, b...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

Liz Smith will be well aware that the Scottish Government is investing more than £1 billion in the higher education sector. That demonstrates our commitment ...

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab) Lab

I thank the minister for early sight of her statement. The Government’s purpose that every child, no matter their background, should have an equal chance of...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

Iain Gray is quite right to point out the challenge of reaching the interim targets. I have set out the work that the Scottish Government will do and the wor...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I have 10 back benchers who want to ask questions, so I ask for crisp questions and crisp answers, please.

Jenny Gilruth (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) SNP

I remind members that I am the parliamentary liaison officer to the education secretary. When we think about widening access to—

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

No, I want a question and I expect you to set an example. Start with a question, please.

Jenny Gilruth SNP

Can the minister outline what role she sees for colleges as part of the widening access agenda?

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

The Government and I recognise the important role that colleges play in widening access. They often open the door to further and higher education for the fir...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con) Con

I want to return to the point that was raised by my colleague Liz Smith. What advice will the minister give parents whose children will no longer be offered ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

A short question, please. Do not develop it.

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

What I would say to any parent or young person is that they have a Scottish Government that is determined to ensure that all young people will have fair acce...

James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) SNP

I am delighted that the Government has delivered on its commitment to introduce a full bursary for care-experienced young people. Can the minister explain in...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

We considered carefully the options for eligibility for the bursary, taking into account a range of evidence and discussions that my officials and I had with...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

Given that, in 2013, the Government cut the maximum bursary that is available by almost £1,000, can the minister confirm that the issue of student cost of li...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

As the member is no doubt aware, a review of student support is on-going at this time. That review, which is independent of Government, will consider a varie...

Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP) SNP

How will contextual admissions and access thresholds ensure that talent is evaluated fairly? Have universities that already offer grade adjustments experienc...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

Clare Haughey is right to point out that many universities already use contextualised data, and many of them make significant adjustments to entry tariffs. N...

Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green) Green

Given that the minister and the commission have emphasised the need for a whole-system approach, will the minister clarify how the Government will ensure tha...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

The question has been asked, minister.

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

Ross Greer makes an important point. We need to give holistic consideration to the challenges that are affecting students, including the cost of public trans...

Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (LD) LD

I thank the minister for the advance copy of her statement. On Sunday, Andrew Neil pressed the First Minister five times—

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

No, no—I want a question, Mr Rumbles. You are not special.

Mike Rumbles LD

—on the impact that cutting grants has had for students from poorer backgrounds. I can come to the front bench if you want me to ask my question from the fr...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

No—you are a back bencher. I want your question, please.

Mike Rumbles LD

I am not a back bencher; I am a front bencher.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I want your question, please.