Each year, the Committee looks at how the Scottish Government spends money on education, children and young people. The Committee focuses this budget-related work on the impact of spending on the delivery of outcomes.
This year, the Committee has agreed to focus on college and university funding and will look at the current funding settlement. The Committee will also consider the sustainability of funding in the years ahead, taking into account the impact of tightening public spending and potential upcoming reforms.
The Committee will explore the financial sustainability of universities, looking at:
Recent reports exploring university funding will form part of this scrutiny, including:
The Committee will explore the financial sustainability of colleges, looking at:
The Committee intends to consider recent reports as part of its scrutiny of college funding, including:
Find out more about the Committee’s scrutiny of colleges and universities in previous years
The Committee will report its findings to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the relevant Ministers before the Scottish Budget is published.
The inquiry was discussed at the following Committee meetings:
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the inquiry:
Letter from the Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans
Letter to the Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, 9 October 2024
Letter from the Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, 25 September 2024
Letter from Universities Scotland, 25 September 2024
Letter to Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, Graeme Dey, 9 September 2024
Letter from Fraser of Allander Institute, 29 July 2024
Letter from The Open University in Scotland, 19 July 2024
Letter from Professor Steve Decent, 17 June 2024
Letter from Richard Leonard, Convener of Public Audit Committee, 9 May 2024