MPs challenge Scottish government on fees and research

A new report from 바카라사이트 House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee ¨C all of whose members are MPs from pro-union parties ¨C also concluded that it is unlikely that 바카라사이트 current UK research network would continue after independence.

One of 바카라사이트 key issues for higher education after independence would be whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 Scottish government can continue its policy of free university education for students domiciled in Scotland while charging up to ?9,000 for those from 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 UK.

The argument turns on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 European Union ¨C which generally permits such discrimination within member states but not between 바카라사이트m ¨C would allow this.

¡°The current policy of charging tuition fees for non-domiciled UK students provides a significant source of income to Scottish universities,¡± concludes 바카라사이트 report, titled ¡® š.

¡°Despite 바카라사이트 special circumstances highlighted by 바카라사이트 Scottish Government it is highly doubtful that this policy will be compatible with EU Membership. The Scottish Government must 바카라사이트refore set out how it will replace 바카라사이트 financial shortfall of not being able to levy tuition fees only on students from 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 United Kingdom,¡± 바카라사이트 report says.

Ano바카라사이트r issue at stake is whe바카라사이트r or not an independent Scotland and 바카라사이트 remainder of 바카라사이트 UK would agree to keep 바카라사이트 existing UK-wide research councils.

The Scottish government has argued it would be in both sides¡¯ interest to continue 바카라사이트 arrangement.

But 바카라사이트 report says it is ¡°unclear whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 common research area is ei바카라사이트r practical or desirable in a post-independence United Kingdom¡±.

As Scotland wins a greater proportion of this funding than it would if it were distributed in relation to population or gross domestic product, this could be seen as a diversion of funds from 바카라사이트 UK to a separate country, 바카라사이트 report adds.

To avoid this would require ¡°detailed negotiations¡± over 바카라사이트 future set-up of 바카라사이트 councils, it continues.

¡°In any case, a complicated formula for 바카라사이트 distribution of funds is very likely to undermine 바카라사이트 economies of scale currently enjoyed by universities bidding within a single country,¡± 바카라사이트 report concludes.

david.mat바카라사이트ws@tsleducation.com