Labour support for free tuition ‘iron-clad’ but status-quo not working – Sarwar

Scottish Labour’s support for free tuition is “iron-clad” but the “status quo is not working” for universities or students, Anas Sarwar has said.

The party leader has written to university bosses urging them to work with Labour to ensure Scotland’s higher education system is “fit for the future”.

Mr Sarwar said the SNP’s funding model had resulted in a cap on the number of Scottish students a university can admit, putting them at a disadvantage.

The letter, which is also signed by Labour’s education spokesperson, Pam Duncan-Glancy, reiterated the party’s support for universal free education.

It comes just a day after Mr Sarwar said he wanted to build on “the success of devolution”.

The Scottish Labour leader said a future Scottish Labour government would build upon Scotland’s free tuition fees, free prescriptions, bus passes and the Scottish child payment.

In his letter to university principals, he said he wants to give “any Scottish student who wants to pursue the university route the opportunity and support to do so”.

Mr Sarwar said a Labour government would be willing to work with universities on reform but did not say what that would look like.

He added: “Scottish Labour is determined to ensure Scotland’s world-class universities can thrive – from driving forward crucial research to providing opportunities for Scottish students.

“Scottish Labour’s support for free tuition is iron-clad, but the fact is the status quo is not working for universities or for Scottish students.

“I want to work with universities to develop a sustainable funding model that unlocks the full potential of the sector and gives young Scots the chance to study.”

Figures released in August last year showed the number of Scottish students at the country’s universities was down by about 10,000 in a year.

The number of international students reached a record high in 2022-23, making up 29% of the total student population and an important funding source for universities.

St Andrews and Edinburgh, two of the nation’s top universities, had more overseas students than domestic students.

Karen Adam accused Mr Sarwar of “hypocrisy on stilts” and claimed free university tuition was only safe under SNP.

The SNP MSP said: “This is hypocrisy on stilts from Anas Sarwar. History has shown that his Labour Party cannot be trusted on tuition fees.

“Whether in Scotland, England or Wales – fees have gone up under Labour governments.

“It increasingly looks like Anas Sarwar will say anything – and adopt SNP policies – in his desperate attempt to get into power. But why should voters trust him on tuition fees after broken promises on winter fuel payments, compensation for Waspi women and the future of Grangemouth?

“Under the SNP, we have record numbers of Scottish students securing places at our universities, and recent figures showed a rise in students from our most disadvantaged communities.

“This progress has only been made possible because the SNP abolished Labour’s tuition fees and we will never let them be reimposed on Scotland’s students.”

Higher education minister Graeme Dey said: “They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and it’s clear that as Labour’s support in Scotland has plummeted, they have now taken to copying the SNP’s landmark policies.

“But young people in Scotland will be sceptical of trusting Labour’s latest promise on tuition fees – after a slew of broken promises in recent weeks.

“The SNP Government has brought in free tuition in Scotland, whilst Labour governments have increased fees for students in England and Wales – that is why we have the lowest levels of student debt in the UK and record numbers of Scots going to university for the first time.

“We have repeatedly championed university research and innovation, whilst the UK Labour Government has landed universities and their staff with a hefty £45 million bill for national insurance rises.”

He added: “If Labour truly support Scotland’s universities, then they will back our budget and join us in calling for the UK Government to agree to a Scottish graduate visa.”