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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 26 December 2024
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Displaying 768 contributions

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Education, Children and Young People Committee

Universities

Meeting date: 28 September 2022

Willie Rennie

I have one final question. Are we comfortable that we are asking students from some of the poorest parts of the world to subsidise Scottish education to such an extent? We are asking African countries and south Asian countries—some of the poorest countries facing the greatest struggles—to subsidise Scottish education. Do you feel a bit uncomfortable about doing that?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Universities

Meeting date: 28 September 2022

Willie Rennie

It is subsidised.

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Universities

Meeting date: 28 September 2022

Willie Rennie

It is still subsidy.

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Universities

Meeting date: 28 September 2022

Willie Rennie

I am afraid that the situation does—again—reflect complacency. We have seen a massive reduction in the share of UK research funding that we get for Scottish universities—from roughly 15 per cent to 12.5 per cent. That is a 2.5 per cent drop and means that we have lost £1.8 billion. Of course, we should not be wholly dependent on the public sector, but surely that is an indication that we have not, in recent years, been funding to the same extent as England. Why are you not telling the Government bluntly that the brilliant Scottish universities with brilliant research are in decline?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Colleges Regionalisation Inquiry

Meeting date: 21 September 2022

Willie Rennie

Do you attend every board meeting?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Colleges Regionalisation Inquiry

Meeting date: 21 September 2022

Willie Rennie

What happens if Government does not seize the opportunity?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Colleges Regionalisation Inquiry

Meeting date: 21 September 2022

Willie Rennie

What do ministers tell you?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Colleges Regionalisation Inquiry

Meeting date: 21 September 2022

Willie Rennie

The question is on trade union relationships, to finish off that point. I understand that relationships locally are good. Is that because you do not have the power individually to give the trade unions what they want? If that is the case, why are you not able to do collectively what you are doing locally?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Colleges Regionalisation Inquiry

Meeting date: 21 September 2022

Willie Rennie

Do you attend meetings?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Colleges Regionalisation Inquiry

Meeting date: 21 September 2022

Willie Rennie

I have remarked on this before: I am astonished that all this is very managerial. The college sector has been cut for years on end, and college places have been reduced significantly for years, but the presentation that you have given this morning is very managerial and almost accepting of the position. I cannot understand why you are not angrier. What are you doing to persuade the Government to change its mind on funding levels?