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Scotland says no to tuition fees
03/06/2010
MSPs tonight voted to back the Scottish Government's promise that students will not have to pay tuition fees no matter what decisions are taken in England.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell welcomed the endorsement of the Scottish Government's efforts to find an answer to future funding pressures faced by universities without resorting to charging individual learners up front fees.
Mr Russell has vowed to continue discussions with the sector, including universities and students themselves, about the next steps for Scottish higher education.
The vote followed this afternoon's debate on student fees ahead of the publication of Lord Browne's Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance. Although the review only covers higher education in England its findings will have implications for Scotland.
Speaking after the debate, Mr Russell said:
"I am proud that we have reintroduced the principle of free higher education in Scotland through the abolition of the graduate endowment fee. I reinforced our commitment to this principle earlier this year when I stated categorically that this Government will not introduce tuition fees in Scotland. And today the Scottish Parliament has also rejected the need to hold an independent review.
"The Scottish Government's position has received considerable support from throughout the higher education sector, with the NUS vocal in their support.
"And now MSPs have backed us by sending a message to the nation's students - no matter what happens elsewhere, this Parliament believes that tuition fees are not the answer in Scotland."