After the Scottish Government published its draft budget statement for 2024/25, NUS Scotland has welcomed the recent increase in student finance for HE students - but warned the continued underfunding of the sector is having dire consequences.

Scotland’s students should be at the heart of designing a new funding model for higher and further education says NUS Scotland President, Ellie Gomersall.

Students warn Scottish Government not to overturn commitments made to students after Yousaf announces review of SNP manifesto. 

Ellie Gomersall, NUS Scotland President, has written to Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, and Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey, demanding that the Scottish Government recommit to the £46 million they pledged to higher and further education in the 2023/24 budget. 

In December, the government committed an additional £20 million to universities and £26 million to colleges. NUS Scotland and UCU Scotland were quick to point out that this would have been a below-inflation raise, and therefore a real-terms cut, which would not cover the cost of teaching. However, the Scottish Government has announced that universities and colleges will not see that funding at all, leaving them with even less money to deliver the high-quality education that is expected of them. 

Gomersall’s letter, sent today, 4th May 2023, highlights the difficult position that students and staff in colleges and universities face. The overwhelming majority of students across the education sector report having poor mental health, whilst staff struggle to make ends meet on insecure contracts that rely on them working unpaid hours. 

The letter also notes that this is the second multi-million-pound cut to education this year, the first being when the Scottish Government refused to renew the £20 million which has funded counsellors in colleges and universities for the last 3 years. 

The news of these cuts comes amidst Humza Yousaf’s announcement of a “review” of the SNP’s manifesto commitments, putting at risk important promises that NUS Scotland has already won for students, such as raising the total package of student support to the Real Living Wage. 

Commenting, NUS Scotland President, Ellie Gomersall, said: 

“This is Humza Yousaf’s opportunity to set the tone of his relationship with students. He needs to listen when students say we can’t afford to live and listen to staff when they say they're stretched too thin. 

“The £46 million promised to further and higher education in the December budget was a real-terms cut to begin with, but withdrawing it altogether is a real blow to students and the wider sector.  

“Institutions need more funding. Already they rely on staff working above and beyond their contracts to function. 

“I urge the Scottish Government to reconsider who this short-sighted decision. Students are not cash-cows with infinite money. Many of us are just struggling to pay rent and eat a hot meal every day.”