Chamber and committees

Thanks.

I am sorry for indicating that rather late. I am just looking for a bit of clarity on the minister’s final few lines. Amendments 1 to 4 all make complete sense, but could the minister explain the scenarios in which Revenue Scotland would not want to exercise that operational power? Why move from “must” to “may”? What are the situations in which it would not want to do so?

Thank you. I would love to go into that in more depth, but there is another area that I am supposed to ask about, which is fair work. This goes back to what Mark MacPherson said a moment ago about what the Scottish Government expects of colleges. One thing that the Scottish Government expects of colleges is a commitment to fair work principles. My understanding is that colleges include some reference to that in their outcome agreements with the SFC, but it is totally unclear whether there is any real enforcement of that. Is either of you aware of how colleges are evaluated by the SFC in relation to their commitment to fair work? Is action ever taken against a college for failing to meet that commitment?

Good morning, everybody. A range of reports over recent years have recommended that the Government set out a clear vision for the university sector. Last year, we saw the publication of the vision for the tertiary sector overall. Has the Scottish Government now made clear what its vision for the sector is and provided the strategic direction that many universities have been asking for?

Dr Conlon, would you like to add anything at this point?

On that point, to pick up on what you have all said about fiscal sustainability, and on Mary Senior’s point that we have seen real-terms cuts year on year, how would you suggest that the tension there is resolved?

The Scottish Government’s overall budget has not gone up in real terms—that is outwith the Scottish Government’s control. Both the UCU and the NUS have urged the Government to make better use of devolved taxation powers. That is a legitimate position—and one with which my party would agree—but even by doing that, the Government would not have been able to keep up with inflation in recent years. What does sustainable funding for the sector look like in a situation where the current devolution settlement means that matching inflation—given that inflation is obviously outwith the Scottish Government’s control—is not realistic for the overall Scottish Government budget?

Are you saying that, within the budget overall, a higher proportion should be allocated to higher education? If so, where would you suggest that that comes from? Alternatively, is there something else that you mean when you talk about sustainability, such as a more fundamental reform of the funding model?

I am keen to follow that up, but others might want to come in on the initial question first.

I am sure that both unions have strong positions on the issues that have just been raised.

I would love to get into the details of the disparity in reserves, but I believe that colleagues will deal with some of that.

If it is okay, I would like to briefly follow up on what David Belsey said about the courses that colleges provide. Is it realistic to expect every college to be able to offer every course?