- Conservative Finance Spokesperson calls for unity on funding discussion
- Smith says university principals feel let down, and that the status quo won’t cut it
Reform Scotland, the independent, non-partisan think tank, today publishes an article by Liz Smith MSP, the Conservative Finance Spokesperson and former teacher, which tackles the issue of how to fund our universities.
In the blog, which can be read in full here, Ms Smith says that:
- University education has never been free; it has always been funded by taxpayers
- Funding is falling and resources diminishing
- University education provides a shared benefit to individuals and the country, and we should also expect a shared cost
This intervention from Liz Smith comes after five Scottish university vice-principals warned that the current funding model is harming their institutions.
In the article, Liz Smith says:
“In 1978, when I started my degree in Economics at Edinburgh University, I queued in Adam House in Edinburgh’s Chambers Street to obtain the necessary paperwork to allow me to access free higher education.
“Of course it wasn’t free at all. The state was paying.
“Those were the days when there were far fewer universities and far fewer undergraduates, so the cost of higher education was not remotely equivalent to what it is today.
“Throughout my time in Holyrood, I have consistently called for a cross-party, open and frank debate about the future of higher education funding. Far too many politicians have had their heads firmly in the sand for far too long, just hoping that the problem will go away.
“Well, it won’t. Alex Salmond’s rocks are well and truly melting in the sun.
“University education provides a shared benefit. There is a benefit to the individual undertaking a university course through increased earning opportunities as well as intellectual enhancement, and there is the obvious benefit to the state from an economic perspective, most especially in terms of ensuring we have a highly skilled workforce. As such, it is perfectly reasonable to expect some sharing of the cost.
“We should always be mindful of the question “what is education for?”. As we answer that we will not arrive at the current funding arrangements. If it means an independent commission, as some principals have suggested, then that is what must happen. It is too important to get it wrong.”
Chris Deerin, Director of Reform Scotland said:
“Reform Scotland has long been warning that the current funding model for universities is unfair and unsustainable. We welcome this important intervention from Liz Smith and hope that other politicians begin to recognize the scale of the challenge. Scotland cannot afford to keep ignoring the problems facing our universities.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Liz Smith MSP’s blog can be read here.
- Reform Scotland, a charity registered in Scotland, is a public policy institute which works to promote increased economic prosperity, opportunity for all, and more effective public services. Reform Scotland is independent of political parties and any other organisations. It is funded by donations from private individuals, charitable trusts and corporate organisations. Its Director is Chris Deerin and Alison Payne is the Research Director. Both work closely with the Trustee Board, chaired by Lord McConnell, which meets regularly to review the research and policy programme.
- For media contact Andy Maciver, [email protected], 07855 261 244