Inquiry into Scottish independence education impact

The inquiry, which was launched yesterday by the Scottish Parliament’s education and culture committee, will take evidence on early years, higher and further education and broadcasting.

Committee convener Stewart Maxwell MSP said: “There has already been much debate about Scotland’s constitutional future and what Scotland will look like following a yes or no vote. The purpose of this inquiry is to hear expert views and look at some of the issues in more detail.

“Regardless of the vote in September, it can only be helpful that our committee looks at the issues of higher and further education; early years, childcare and employability; and broadcasting and culture to see how the future might look.”

The committee will hold a series of oral evidence sessions in March and April. In advance of this, it has issued a call for written evidence which seeks views on a variety of topics.

Among those are the impact of immigration policy on Scottish universities and college.

Earlier this week, education secretary Mike Russell said the “xenophobic” immigration policy of the UK government had damaged Scotland’s universities by making it more difficult to attract international students.

His comments won support from Anton Muscatelli, the principal of Glasgow University, who told a conference in Edinburgh that immigration changes had “hampered” his institution’s ability to attract research students.