Sai Shraddha S. Viswanathan: ‘Scotland’s students are struggling already and can’t afford more cuts’
As the Scottish Government prepares to release its first Programme for Government under First Minister John Swinney later today, setting their priorities for the year ahead, the National Union of Students Scotland has called on them to demonstrate a commitment to supporting students and apprentices.
Amid an ongoing housing emergency NUS Scotland is urging the Scottish Government to move forward with the Housing Bill, while strengthening rent control measures so that they bring prices down to affordable levels and widening them to apply to student accommodation rather than just the private rented sector.
Further to this NUS Scotland is advocating that the Scottish Government avoid further cuts to higher and further education and services relied upon by students and apprentices and instead look to invest in Scotland’s future and address fiscal shortcomings by pursuing progressive taxation proposals such as those outlined by the STUC (Scottish Trades Union Congress).
Commenting, NUS Scotland President Sai Shraddha S. Viswanathan said:
“As the Scottish Governments lay out their priorities for the year ahead students are looking to them to hold to their word and take measures to tackle poverty, foster equality and support students, apprentices and young people.
Rent prices are unaffordable and continue to rise. Our research has revealed the appalling statistic that 17% of students from low-income backgrounds have experienced homelessness. We desperately need the Scottish Government to progress rent controls that will bring prices down in the private rented sector and student accommodation. This is a simple and necessary first step to addressing the housing emergency that won’t cost them a penny.
We know the financial situation facing the Scottish Government is tough, but we also know that austerity is not the answer and will leave students, apprentices and workers paying the price. The government must not continue down a path of underfunding public services and education and instead explore progressive tax raising measures like those previously laid out by the STUC. Scotland’s students are struggling already - we can’t afford more cuts.”
