Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 24 June 2026 [Draft]
24 Jun 2026 · S7 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Skills Development (Young People)
We realise that support for our universities from the devolved Government is important. However, in relation to that question, we do not exist in isolation. It is worth remembering that, in the most recent budget, we increased the budget for universities by 5 per cent and that we are liaising closely with them.
With regard to the University of Glasgow situation, although, like all universities, it is autonomous, we strongly urge universities to consider redundancies only as a last resort.
In the same item of business
Thomas Kerr (Glasgow) (Reform)
Reform
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the development of skills and encourages apprenticeships, in light of reported concerns that young people are ...
The Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education (Ben Macpherson)
SNP
We want to support all our young people to choose a pathway that suits their strengths and enables them to fulfil their potential to the greatest extent, dev...
Thomas Kerr
Reform
I will get a list over to the minister. I am always happy to educate the education front bench about pointless degrees.Working-class communities such as mine...
Ben Macpherson
SNP
The member needs to spend some more time understanding how we deliver the different opportunities within our system, through the Scottish Funding Council and...
Jenny Young (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Lab)
Lab
I associate myself completely with the remarks that the minister just made. My supplementary concentrates on supporting our universities—I think that we can ...
Ben Macpherson
SNP
As I mentioned in the members’ business debate a few days ago, the question of the future of our universities will be pertinent for all of us who have the pr...
Jenny Young
Lab
The Scottish Government cut their funding.
Ben Macpherson
SNP
We realise that support for our universities from the devolved Government is important. However, in relation to that question, we do not exist in isolation. ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark)
Lab
I call Heather Anderson to ask a short question, and I ask for a short answer from the minister.
Heather Anderson (Dundee City West) (SNP)
SNP
I associate myself with the comments of the previous two speakers. I welcome young people entering further and higher education; their choices should not be ...
Ben Macpherson
SNP
I have already talked about the increase in the college budget and the university budget. The Government is investing £3.5 billion in the sector as a whole, ...