Scottish universities ‘anxious’ about fees issue says David Willetts

Published on 09/10/2012 00:47

ENGLAND’S universities minister has questioned the long-term future of the Scottish Government’s decision to keep tuition free for students north of the Border.

David Willetts said there were concerns about the sustainability of free tuition in Scotland, adding that many in Scottish universities were “anxious” about where future funding would come from.

Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative Party conference, he said: “In the short run I can see the appeal of not having any fees in Scotland. In the long run the question is, how do you sustain the right levels of investment to ensure our universities remain world class?”

He said: “If you want world-class universities, the money’s got to get to them somehow.”

He added: “There is, I know, in some Scottish universities 
an anxiety as to whether, without fees, they are going to remain properly financed.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “University principals themselves have publicly recognised that the Scottish Government is delivering massive additional investment. In Scotland, tuition fees are paid by the Scottish Government, whereas the UK government has decided to land the bill directly on the student. We choose to prioritise the ability to learn over the ability to pay.”