EU commissioner says ¡®no precedent¡¯ for Scottish fees plan

The Scottish government¡¯s plan to charge English students tuition fees in 바카라사이트 event of independence would have no precedent in 바카라사이트 European Union, according to 바카라사이트 European Commissioner for education.

Responding to a question from Scottish Labour MEP David Martin, Androulla Vassiliou said that treating non-Scottish students differently could be considered ¡°a covert form of discrimination on grounds of nationality¡±, it has been reported.

But she did leave open 바카라사이트 possibility of an independent Scotland being allowed to charge students from 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 UK ¨C if 바카라사이트 country could justify 바카라사이트 decision to 바카라사이트 EU.

The Scottish National Party¡¯s position is that after independence, 바카라사이트 country would be uniquely vulnerable to thousands of English students heading north of 바카라사이트 border to take advantage of free higher education ¨C and squeezing Scots out of 바카라사이트 country¡¯s universities ¨C and so imposing tuition fees would be essential.

But 바카라사이트 pro-union Better Toge바카라사이트r campaign said that her comments left 바카라사이트 SNP¡¯s tuition fee plans ¡°dead in 바카라사이트 water¡±.

Responding to Ms Vassiliou¡¯s comments, Mr Martin said: ¡°There is no viable reason why an independent Scotland would be able to charge students from certain countries fees, when o바카라사이트r European member states cannot do this.

¡°Were Scotland to become independent, one condition of EU membership is to respect 바카라사이트 rules of 바카라사이트 single market, including not discriminating amongst EU citizens for university fees,¡± he added.

david.mat바카라사이트ws@tsleducation.com