This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Talks held on higher education White Paper
24/02/2003
Lifelong Learning Minister Iain Gray today chaired a second round table meeting with higher education representatives on the implications for Scotland of last month's DfES higher education White Paper. Following the meeting they agreed this joint statement:
"We have had further constructive discussions on the implications for Scotland of last month's English White Paper.
"Now there has been a proper opportunity to reflect on the document it is becoming clearer which White Paper proposals require the most attention from a Scottish perspective.
"It is also clear that the differences between the funding settlement in England and Scotland are not as great as the headline figures might originally have suggested. The funding available for capital investment in the teaching estate in England is the largest area of difference."
"We have agreed to a further meeting of the round table group in April. That meeting will discuss the terms of reference for the extension of the Executive's current HE review. That extension will look at the long-term financial and other implications of proposals for a new fee regime in England and Wales.
"Ahead of that, however, we are particularly keen that it is made clear to students already in the system or who are applying before 2006 that they would not be affected by the new fee regime being considered by the DfES.
"Other issues where we agree that Scotland has a particular interest include :
- Proposals for a "6*" research classification
- a proposed review of approaches to degree classification
- Possible changes to the rules governing the award of university title.
"The agreed quarterly meetings between the Minister and his DfES opposite numbers, underpinned by offical discussions, will provide reassurance that the Scottish interest in these issues is taken into account. The Executive will of course involve Scottish stakeholders in developing its views.
Iain Gray convened a first round table on 23 January, the day following publication of the DfES White Paper.
Iain Gray chaired today's meeting, which also included representatives from Universities Scotland, Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland, Association of University Teachers, National Union of Students, Funding Councils, Scottish Science Advisory Committee, Association of Scottish Colleges and the Educational Institute of Scotland.
The report of the Scottish Executive's separate Higher Education Review is due within the next few weeks.