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.” 

As students from across Scotland meet today at NUS Scotland Conference in Edinburgh, President Ellie Gomersall welcomes new Cabinet Secretary for Education, Jenny Gilruth, and urges them to support their Fighting For Students campaign.

NUS Scotland welcomes £900 boost to student support package in response to cost-of-living crisis

In response to NUS Scotland’s nation-wide campaign to fight for students during the cost-of-living crisis, the Scottish Government has announced an increase of £900 for all undergraduate students in higher education, as well as care experienced students in further education.

This fulfils a key campaign ask of NUS Scotland’s Fighting for Student campaign, which called for a cost-of-living increase in student support. The campaign saw hundreds of students gather outside the Scottish Parliament last month and over 2,000 campaign emails sent to MSPs calling for action on student poverty.

Following new figures showing over a third of students (37%) had considered dropping out for financial reasons, NUS Scotland President Ellie Gomersall has called on the candidates for SNP Leader and First Minister to commit to delivering on SNP promises to increase student support.

The Scottish Government has announced the suspension of the rent cap for student residential tenancies. The suspension will take place on 30th March 2023, but will only apply to the student accommodation sector. Students renting in the private sector will not be affected.   

NUS Scotland has issued a warning that the Scottish Government’s budget for 2023-24 will create an education system that is only accessible to the wealthiest.  

The Scottish 2023 Budget, published this afternoon, pledges a real term cut to university and college budgets, with only £46 million of additional resource committed to universities and colleges in Scotland. This comes alongside no action on the cost-of-living support for students and apprentices. 

Ellie Gomersall, NUS Scotland President said: 

“This is a government that has turned its back on students. The Budget offers no meaningful support in response to the cost-of-living crisis Scotland’s students are facing.  

“Student mental health is plummeting. Accommodation prices are through the roof. Students can’t afford the essentials – like heating or the cost of public transport. 

“Despite their manifesto commitment to raise student support, the Scottish Government has left it stagnant, providing students with a real terms cut in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.   

“We’re pleased that the Scottish Government have responded to our call to scrap peak train fares by announcing a pilot scheme but this is a baby step in a cost-of-living crisis that calls for confident strides.  

“This Budget was an opportunity for the government to use its full range of powers to achieve truly progressive taxation so that the richest can support those who don’t have enough to survive – including students.  

“35% of students have considered dropping out because they can’t afford to stay in education. That number will escalate the longer Ministers bury their heads in the sand and continue to delay their manifesto promises to students.” 

NUS Scotland has launched its Scottish Parliament Election manifesto - A Student Guarantee for Scotland. Amidst a pandemic that has exposed a mental health crisis and rising debts and poverty amongst students, NUS Scotland is calling for education to be at the heart of our recovery from Covid-19 and for no student or apprentice to be left behind. 
  
The manifesto outlines what students will be looking for when voting in the Scottish Parliament Election on 6 May 2021, and includes the flagship policy, “an Education Leaver Guarantee” for all students newly qualifying and graduating to ensure students and apprentices of all ages have a positive destination upon completion of their studies. 
  
Other key policies include a student mental health action plan to tackle the mental health crisis amongst students; increased financial support that keeps up with the cost of learning; and rent controls that put an end to the exorbitant rent hikes student tenants face. 
  
The manifesto calls on all political parties to commit to removing inequalities in our education system and barriers to learning. It sets out solutions and a benchmark for understanding where candidates and their parties stand on the issues that matter most to students.  
  
Commenting on the launch NUS Scotland President, Matt Crilly, said: 
  
“This is undoubtedly the most important election of our lives. For the last year students’ have faced untold disruption to their studies, wellbeing and their lives as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. They have told us, loudly and clearly, that inequalities simply cannot continue in our education system. 
  
"They want a guarantee which fully supports and protects them. That is why we are calling for a Scotland where no student or apprentice misses out on learning because they can’t get online or afford a bus pass. We want a student support system that ensures no student relies on food banks, that sees sky-high rents are brought under control, and the erradication of institutional racism. 
  
“To deliver the best for Scotland, we need to deliver the best for our students and apprentices. That’s why we’re inviting all parties to listen and commit to the action needed to create a future in which everyone can thrive.”