Ministers urged to ‘up their game’ to help Scotland’s universities

Ministers have been urged to “up their game” in the face of the financial difficulties facing Scotland’s universities – with the plea coming as a ballot of staff at Edinburgh University showed they could walk out on strike to prevent cuts there.

A consultative ballot carried out by the University and College Union (UCU) among staff there found three-quarters (75%) of staff were willing to strike, with 85% prepared to take part in industrial action short of this, including working to contract, refusing to cover for absent colleagues or undertake any voluntary commitments.

Edinburgh University, founded in 1852, is one of four “ancient” universities in Scotland, but principal Professor Sir Peter Mathieson last month warned staff “nothing is off the table” as the institution seeks to make urgent savings to plug a £140 million budget gap.

It comes at the same time as Dundee University is planning to cut 632 jobs as it bids to plug a £35 million deficit.

Several Scottish universities are coming under financial pressure from
rising costs and reduced income from international students, described as a “perfect storm” by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

SNP ministers insist the current model, where Scottish students can attend university without being charged for their tuition, will remain in place, with Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth restating her party’s commitment to this at the weekend.

However, in the face of mounting problems for the sector, the government faced calls to act, with Scottish Liberal Democrats demanding a ministerial taskforce to “save the jobs at the University of Dundee”.

Meanwhile, Roz Foyer, the general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) urged ministers to “get ahead of the game and give institutions the resources and funding they need to survive”.

Insisting that the government “cannot just keep putting sticking plasters on gaping wounds” Ms Foyer was adamant that “the answer lies in fully funding the sector”.

Writing in The Herald she said: “We cannot continue to rely on an increasingly marketised model overly dependent on overseas students.

“We need to recognise education for what it is: a critical part of Scotland’s economy – both locally and nationally – which provides people with the skills to succeed in their life and in their work.”

And while she warned Dundee University is in “grave peril” she added that that is “just the tip of the iceberg”, citing difficulties at Edinburgh University and Strathclyde University in Glasgow as well as the prospect of cuts at both Glasgow University and Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

Ms Foyer’s comments came as Jo Grady, general secretary of the UCU urged the Edinburgh University principal to rule out compulsory redundancies at the institution.

Instead of pressing on with plans to make the biggest cuts ever seen in Scottish higher education, Peter Mathieson needs to work with UCU, use the university’s reserves and rule out compulsory redundancies

With the trade union warning it could move to a statutory ballot on industrial action, Ms Grady was clear: “Edinburgh University management need to listen to their staff.”

The UCU general secretary stated: “The consultative ballot results show a clear willingness to take action against cuts and to defend jobs.

“Instead of pressing on with plans to make the biggest cuts ever seen in Scottish higher education, Peter Mathieson needs to work with UCU, use the university’s reserves and rule out compulsory redundancies.

“Politicians need to up their game as well and make clear that cuts of this scale are completely unacceptable, unnecessary and will cause lasting harm to one of Scotland’s most respected universities.”

Meanwhile, as well as calling for a ministerial taskforce to help reduce job losses at Dundee University, Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie said there should be “cross-party talks on the future of the wider university sector”.

I would urge the Scottish Government to pull together cross-party talks on the future of the wider university sector

He said the proposed job losses at Dundee would “deliver a seismic shock to households across Tayside and Fife”, adding that in previous situations where “mass job losses were on the cards” the Scottish Government has stepped in to establish a taskforce to “ensure that every avenue was explored to secure jobs and retraining”.

Adding that this has not happened yet for Dundee University, he said action is needed “rapidly to protect as many jobs as possible and ensure that anyone who is made redundant is provided with opportunities to get their lives back on track”.

More generally Mr Rennie said: “There also needs to more thought given to the long-term future of the sector.

“Yes, there have clearly been management errors at Dundee but what has been missing from the Scottish Government response is an acknowledgement that the funding model that underpins Scottish universities is hollow.

“It cannot cope with geopolitical upheaval and rapidly rising costs. A crisis was simply a matter of when, not if.

“I would urge the Scottish Government to pull together cross-party talks on the future of the wider university sector. So far the SNP have been reluctant to include other parties in this discussion. I think that is a mistake if a sustainable model is to be secured.”

Sir Peter said Edinburgh University “have been very clear that our current financial position is not sustainable and we are not immune to the challenges that the higher education sector is currently facing”.

The principal added: “While we are not currently in deficit, we must take clear and decisive action now to avoid this.

“Unless we reduce our costs, the university currently forecasts a close to break-even position for the 2024-25 financial year, and from the 2025/26 financial year, we forecast to be in a deficit position where our expenditure exceeds our income.

“This amount is based on financial modelling of past results, current enrolments and estimates for the coming years.

“We have been (liaising) and will continue to liaise with our joint trade unions throughout this process.

“The actions we must take now – which include a reduction of both staff and non-staff operating costs – will ensure that we remain strongly placed for the future, so that we can continue to attract the brightest minds and remain a world-leading university.”

Education Secretary Ms Gilruth said: “Scotland’s universities play a pivotal role in the economy and wider society, and they must be supported to thrive into the future. Ministers listened closely to the sector in the development of the budget, which is why we are investing over £1.1 billion in university teaching and research in 2025-26.

“Since February, we have announced a further £25 million of extra support, which is a clear sign of the Scottish Government’s commitment to the sector as it navigates its financial challenges, which have been compounded by UK Government policies to restrict migration and raise employer national insurance contributions – estimated to cost Scottish universities over £48 million.

“Whilst universities are autonomous institutions, ministers’ clear expectation is that management make every effort to protect jobs and engage fully with staff, students and trade unions in response to financial challenges.

“Last week, we confirmed work is already underway to convene expertise from across government, the sector, and the wider city region to support the University of Dundee as it continues to develop its financial recovery plan.”